Puri Stampede: Odisha govt cracks whip, transfers Collector and SP; ex-gratia announced

A stampede at Saradhabali near the Gundicha Temple in Puri claimed the lives of three devotees and left more than 50 others injured in the early hours of Sunday. The incident occurred around 4:20 am when a massive crowd surged for darshan of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings after the 'Pahuda' completed at 3:45 AM.

Eyewitnesses said panic broke out when two trucks carrying ‘charamala’ entered the crowded area, triggering a chaos.

The deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty.

Witnesses also alleged that there was no police presence at the spot to control the crowd, raising serious concerns over security arrangements at such crucial and important festivals where lakhs of devotees congregate.

Jun 29, 2025 15:10 IST
The stampede incident during the Rath Yatra in Puri is extremely tragic: LoP Rahul Gandhi
#PuriStampede | Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi expresses condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the speedy recovery of injured devotees; tweets, "The stampede incident during the Rath Yatra in Puri is extremely tragic... I appeal to the Odisha… pic.twitter.com/InWnnhF3ET
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 13:58 IST
Odisha govt cracks whip, transfers Collector and SP; ex-gratia announced
In the wake of the tragic stampede that led to the death of three devotees near Gundicha temple during the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office has announced a series of swift and decisive actions, including financial compensation, administrative inquiry, and major personnel changes at the district level. Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 13:08 IST
Even though I am a sevayat here, I failed to find the exit route due to so many barricades...
#PuriStampede | "Even though I am a sevayat here, I failed to find the exit route due to so many barricades. Such barricading had never happened in the past," says a servitor

Change in the earlier existing barricades created confusion & led to the mishap, alleges a devotee… pic.twitter.com/rfUpQTbspw
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 12:55 IST
It's an unfortunate incident: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan
#PuriStampede | Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan says, "It's an unfortunate incident. Three devotees have lost their lives, and the 6-7 injured people are currently under treatment in hospital... Stern action will be taken against those found guilty."… pic.twitter.com/OVkGC93SSo
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 12:54 IST
10 questions unanswered of tragic stampede
In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at Saradhabali near the Gundicha Temple in Puri, which claimed the lives of three devotees and left over 50 injured, serious questions have emerged regarding the preparedness and accountability of the district administration and police. Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 12:52 IST
Odisha CM apologies to Jagannath devotees, orders action after probe
In the wake of the tragic stampede at Puri during the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow and offered a heartfelt apology to the Lord Jagannath devotees for the unfortunate incident. Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 12:51 IST
I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees: CM Mohan Majhi
ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପ୍ରବଳ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା ଜନିତ ଠେଲାପେଲା କାରଣରୁ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଘଟଣ ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ମୁଁ ଏବଂ ମୋ ସରକାର ସମସ୍ତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥପ୍ରେମୀଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛୁ। ଯେଉଁ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କର ଜୀବନଦୀପ ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ଲିଭିଯାଇଛି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା…
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 11:19 IST
BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Panda condoles death of devotees in stampede
#PuriStampede | On the deaths of devotees in the stampede near Gundicha Temple in Puri this morning, BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Panda tweets, "...I am deeply saddened and heartbroken. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and extend my condolences to the… pic.twitter.com/FWSyBKm0y9
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 10:52 IST
Who is to be blamed for deaths of Lord Jagannath devotees near Gundicha Temple?
A devotee, who lost one of her relatives in the stampede, said, “Our happiness turned tragic because of the lack of proper measures being taken by the administration. There were no police present during the stampede. People helped each other to save lives, but unfortunately, I lost my sister in law in the mishap.” Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 10:36 IST
Police ran away and did not offer a single drop of water, alleges husband of deceased
“We cried for help, ambulance and asked for water. But police personnel did not offer even a single drop. There was massive crowd at the spot when the stampede occurred.” Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 10:20 IST
Minister to officials, who said what on mishap near Gundicha Temple
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Sunday as thousands of devotees thronged the area for darshan of the Holy Trinity on the chariots, which are stationed near Gundicha temple. 
Amid mounting public outrage and serious questions over crowd management, ministers and officials have responded, promising swift action and an investigation into the lapses that may have led to the disaster. Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 10:07 IST
I lost my wife today due to administrative failure: Khordha resident in Puri
#PuriRathYatraMishap | "I lost my wife today due to administrative failure. I cried for help, but cops ran away, didn't provide even a drop of water... For administrative officials, we are like a herd of sheep and goats. Why was a truck allowed to enter the place where there were… pic.twitter.com/kLD5I6IKPh
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 09:50 IST
After 'Pahuda', people gathered in huge numbers: Cop in Puri
#PuriRathYatraMishap | On the Puri stampede, a cop says, "There was a huge rush. After 'Pahuda', people gathered in huge numbers. Those who died were sitting at the spot when the mishap occurred."#GundichaTempleStampede#StampedeInPuri#StampedeDuringRathYatra#RathaJatra… pic.twitter.com/SVCkyqSJ3k
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 09:49 IST
Devotees complained of breathlessness and were immediately shifted to the hospital: Puri Collector
#PuriRathYatraMishap | On Puri Gundicha Temple stampede that led to death & injury of several devotees, Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain says, “As soon as the Pahuda was opened, there was a sudden surge in the crowd. Nine devotees complained of breathlessness and were… pic.twitter.com/Z1TTlE7rPV
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 09:48 IST
There was police deployment and details will be shared after investigation: Puri SP
#PuriRathYatraMishap | While devotees allege that there were no police officials during the stampede and lack of administrative measures resulted in the death and injury of several people, Puri SP says there was police deployment and details will be shared after investigation… pic.twitter.com/aYO5FyvYz6
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 09:47 IST
3 devotees killed, over 50 injured in mishap near Gundicha Temple
At least three devotees were killed and over 50 injured in a stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple in Puri, in the early hours of Sunday, where the three chariots with the Holy Trinity onboard are stationed.
The deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty. Read more...



Jun 29, 2025 09:46 IST
Proper measures not taken by administration: Devotee who lost family member
#PuriRathYatraMishap | Happiness turned tragic because of the lack of proper measures being taken by the administration, alleges a devotee who lost one of her family members

She further alleges that no police officials were present, and people helped each other.… pic.twitter.com/234vWjCWjA
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025



Jun 29, 2025 09:43 IST
'No protection, no discipline', allege eyewitnesses over stampede near Gundicha Temple
#PuriRathYatraMishap | No protection, no discipline, and no one was there to manage the crowd, alleges one of the injured devotees

At least three devotees were killed and over 50 injured in a stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple in the wee hours today, where the three… pic.twitter.com/awgdapR37R
— OTV (@otvnews) June 29, 2025