Puri: Two devotees lost their lives 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.
While one of the deceased has been identified as Anil Das of Keonjhar, the identity of the other has not been established.
According to preliminary information, they 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.
They were immediately rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, where doctors declared them 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.
