A stampede-like situation was reported at the 12th-century Puri Lord Jagannath temple in Odisha on Thursday as lakhs of devotees gathered for the nine-day annual Rath Yatra.
A devotee died after being suffocated in the congestion along the procession route on Grand Road, reports Kalinga TV. At least 200 people were hospitalised after the situation got out of control, according to News18.
According to the temple administration, the ceremonial processions of the deities began at 9 am as part of the annual Rath Yatra festivities. Devotees started pulling the three chariots at around 4 pm after the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, during which Puri's titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, ceremonially swept the chariots. It was not immediately clear if the stampede-like situation occurred during the chariot procession.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparations for the festival and directed officials to ensure the safety and convenience of the devotees.
Nearly 13,000 police personnel, including 19 IPS officers, were deployed to manage crowds and maintain law and order. A joint coastal patrolling system involving the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard and the Odisha Police Maritime Station was also activated, while quick response teams remained on standby.
To enhance public safety, more than 500 lifeguards and fire service personnel were stationed along the beachfront to prevent drowning incidents and respond swiftly to emergencies.
The city is also under round-the-clock electronic surveillance, with 473 AI-powered CCTV cameras monitoring the Grand Road and surrounding areas. The cameras are integrated with drone-jamming systems and are connected to two command-and-control centres to enable real-time monitoring throughout the festival.
