Rath Yatra Tragedy: Stampede in Puri Claims Lives

A devastating stampede at the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri led to the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several others. The incident unfolded early Sunday morning at Saradhabali, near the Gundicha Temple. Identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty, the victims were caught in the chaos that erupted when a massive crowd gathered for darshan around 4:20 AM. Reports from eyewitnesses suggest that the situation escalated due to the presence of two trucks carrying ‘charamala’ in the crowded area, which sparked panic. Before the stampede, health officials had reported that approximately 750 devotees required medical assistance due to exhaustion. Despite the tragic event, the Rath Yatra continued, with devotees continuing to participate in the third day of the festival.