Tragic Incident During Puri Rath Yatra Claims Life of Devotee

Devotee Dies Amidst Crowds at Puri Rath Yatra

On Thursday, a tragic incident occurred during the renowned Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, resulting in the death of a devotee due to asphyxiation, with reports suggesting that several others may have been injured. A large crowd had gathered to witness the annual procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. According to reports from local media, the devotee collapsed while waiting on the 'Bada Danda' (Grand Road) to observe the pulling of the chariot. Emergency services quickly transported him to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Puri, where he was pronounced dead by medical staff. Additionally, there are reports of injuries among other devotees; emergency teams are providing medical assistance and transporting the injured for treatment. Police and disaster relief personnel arrived promptly at the scene to assess the situation, while officials monitored crowd management during the annual procession leading to the Gundicha Temple.