Outlook Business Desk
At least three people died and 50 were injured in a stampede near Saradhabali, close to Sri Gundicha Temple, during Puri’s Rath Yatra on June 29, 2024. The early morning rush around 4–4:30 am triggered the deadly crush.
According to Puri Collector Siddharth Swain, the stampede began when hundreds gathered near Shree Gundicha Temple for darshan. A sudden surge in the crowd triggered panic. Emergency teams rushed the injured to Puri District Hospital. While most are stable, six remain in critical condition under intensive care.
The deceased have been identified as Prativa Das (52), Premakanta Mohanty (78), and Basanti Sahu (42) — all from Khurda district. Their bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.
“There was no system in place at all, even when the crowd swelled near the chariot after darshan started around 4 am. While devotees were going from one side, a large crowd approached from the other, leading to chaos and jostling. We couldn’t find any police personnel at the spot,” Dillip Sahoo, Basanti’s husband, said.
“My wife and others would have been saved had there been any arrangement for smooth arrival of ambulances to the spot. There was no police deployment and no volunteers despite there being utter chaos. Who will compensate my loss?” asked Pravati’s husband Biswajit
Witnesses said the chaos lasted around 20 minutes as two vehicles entered the packed area. Locals and devotees acted as first responders, rescuing the injured and rushing them to hospitals.
The Odisha government has launched a probe led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg. Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agrawal have been replaced. Two senior police officers were suspended for ''dereliction of duty''.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the “negligence was unpardonable.” While expressing condolences, he also announced an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased. “Exemplary action will be taken against those responsible for the situation,” he said.
To ensure smooth conduct of upcoming rituals like Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha, a major administrative reshuffle has been initiated. The move aims to restore public faith in the system after the stampede.