Puri: A devotee lost his life and several others sustained injuries in a stampede-like situation during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri on Thursday, casting a shadow over the world-famous festival that draws lakhs of devotees from across the country.
The deceased has been identified as Anil Das of Keonjhar.
According to preliminary information, he reportedly fell after experiencing breathlessness amid the heavy crowd near Marichikot Chhak on the Grand Road (Bada Danda), around 100 feet from a police cordon.
He was immediately rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Several other devotees were also injured in the incident. They were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital and are currently undergoing treatment.
The incident occurred as massive crowds thronged the Grand Road to witness the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the circumstances that led to the stampede-like situation.
Further details are awaited.
