Puri Rath Yatra: 3 devotees die, 6 injured in stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha temple

Puri: In a tragic incident, at least three devotees — two of them women — died and six others were injured in a stampede-like situation at Saradhabali near Gundicha temple in the early hours of Sunday during the darshan of the deities.

The incident occurred around 4 AM when a large number of devotees surged towards Saradhabali to have darshan of the deities on their respective chariots.

Police have identified the deceased as Pravati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premananda Mohanty. All six injured devotees have been admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Eyewitnesses said that a truck carrying the charamals (ritual components for the chariots) entered the crowd, triggering panic and causing a stampede-like situation.

Devotees claimed there was no police presence at the spot to manage the crowd when the mishap occurred.

DGP Y. B. Khurania rushed to the spot and conducted an inquiry into the incident. Police forces have since been mobilized, as the Trinity is scheduled to be taken to the Gundicha Temple in Pahandi Bije today.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed his condolences and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Further details are awaited.