One person died and 33 devotees were rescued after a crowd surge during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on July 16, 2026, officials confirmed.
Rescue operations and medical response
The Special Rescue Unit of the Odisha Fire & Emergency Services extracted 33 devotees from heavy congestion, according to Odisha Police. Rescued individuals received first aid and oxygen support before transfer to nearby hospitals.
Puri Rath Yatra 2026 context
The incident occurred as lakhs of devotees gathered for the annual festival in the temple town. The Pahandi ritual—the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—was underway at the time.
Visuals from Puri District Headquarters Hospital showed devotees receiving treatment following the surge.
Authorities have not released further updates on the condition of those hospitalized.
