A devastating stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on June 29, 2025, claimed three lives and injured over 50 devotees. The incident occurred near Shree Gundicha Temple around 4:30 am, as thousands gathered for the chariot procession.
Overwhelmed by the crowd, devotees faced chaos near Lord Jagannath’s chariot, leading to the tragedy. Emergency services rushed the injured to local hospitals, with six in critical condition. Odisha authorities have launched an investigation to address safety concerns, as this marks the first fatal stampede at the temple. Despite extensive security, including 10,000 police personnel, the incident has sparked debate over crowd management at the revered festival.
