A stampede-like situation broke out during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri after massive crowds gathered along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) for the annual chariot festival. Around 120 devotees reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and were rescued by emergency teams before being shifted to hospitals for treatment. One death has also been reported due to suspected suffocation, though authorities have not officially confirmed the fatality. The Special Rescue Unit launched immediate rescue operations as officials intensified crowd management and security measures. Lakhs of devotees had assembled to witness Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra begin their sacred journey to the Gundicha Temple.
Comments (0)