Published July 16th, 2026 - 03:02 GMT
Highlights
The centuries-old Rath Yatra is one of Hinduism's most important religious festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Puri each year and attracting millions of viewers worldwide through live broadcasts
ALBAWABA- At least one person was killed, and more than 100 others were hospitalized after a crowd crush during the annual Rath Yatra festival in the eastern Indian city of Puri, officials said on Thursday.The incident occurred as thousands of Hindu devotees gathered along the procession route to witness and pull the towering chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, one of India's largest and most revered religious celebrations.Witnesses said the crush unfolded when densely packed crowds surged near the moving chariots, causing people to lose their footing and become trapped. Panic quickly spread as devotees were pushed and trampled in the congestion.Emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, where many were treated for fractures, suffocation, and other crowd-related injuries. Authorities confirmed that at least one person died, while more than 100 others were injured.Officials said there is no indication that the incident was intentional, describing it as a tragic accident caused by overwhelming crowd density. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the crush, including whether crowd-control measures and emergency response plans were adequate.The centuries-old Rath Yatra is one of Hinduism's most important religious festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Puri each year and attracting millions of viewers worldwide through live broadcasts. Authorities routinely deploy thousands of police officers, security personnel, and volunteers to manage the crowds, but the festival's immense scale has posed recurring safety challenges over the years.The Odisha state government said it would conduct a comprehensive review of crowd management arrangements to help prevent similar incidents at future events. The tragedy has once again highlighted the risks associated with large religious gatherings in India, where crowd crushes have claimed lives during major festivals in the past.
