Daily Updates News 
A tragic incident occurred during the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, early this morning, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving at least 10 others injured. The mishap happened near the Shree Gundicha Temple when a large gathering of devotees had assembled to witness the holy procession.
Around 4:30 am, as thousands of devotees eagerly gathered for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on their grand chariots, an unexpected surge in the crowd led to a stampede-like situation. Sadly, three devotees — including two women and a senior citizen — lost their lives on the spot. The victims have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakant Mohanty, all hailing from Khurda district.
Local authorities have confirmed that some of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The district administration and police had made security arrangements, but the sudden swell of the crowd became difficult to control.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain stated that the exact cause of death would be confirmed after post-mortem examinations. He added that while arrangements were in place, the situation became unmanageable for a brief moment, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked political exchanges, with some leaders expressing concerns over the management of the Yatra this year. While senior leaders offered prayers for the victims and their families, authorities have appealed for calm and cooperation from the public.
The Rath Yatra is one of the most significant religious events in India, drawing lakhs of devotees every year. The three deities are ceremoniously taken in chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have assured enhanced crowd management for the remaining days of the festival.
