Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Odisha Police Warns Against Bringing Kids, Elderly to Puri Rath Yatra
The Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha is a big festival where many people gather to see the chariots of Lord Jagannath.
This year, two people died, and five got sick because of the huge crowd and bad weather.
The police are asking people not to bring very young kids, old people, or sick people to the festival because it's too crowded and unsafe.
They also told people to keep moving instead of staying in one place.
The government says the deaths were not because of a stampede but because of a temporary crowd surge.
They have put many security measures in place, like cameras and medical help, to keep everyone safe.
Last year, three elderly people died in a stampede during the same festival.
Odisha Police advised against bringing infants, small children, elderly persons, and patients to the Puri Rath Yatra due to safety concerns.
Two people died and five others fell ill during the festival due to a temporary crowd surge and uncomfortable weather conditions.
Over 13,000 security personnel were deployed for crowd management, traffic regulation, and security.
The government denied reports that the fatalities were caused by a stampede, attributing them to a temporary crowd surge and uncomfortable weather conditions.
Security measures included extensive CCTV coverage, AI-assisted cameras, drones, evacuation corridors, temporary medical facilities, and LED screens for real-time information.
- Who
- Odisha Police, Devotees, Odisha Government
- What
- Puri Rath Yatra with crowd management issues and fatalities
- When
- June 2024
- Where
- Puri, Odisha
- Why
- To ensure safety and manage the large crowd during the festival
Government
Public
Cause of Deaths
Government
The State government denied reports that the fatalities were caused by a stampede, attributing them to a temporary crowd surge and uncomfortable weather conditions.
Public
Allegations of mismanagement during the Puri Rath Yatra suggest that the deaths may have been caused by a stampede.
- Event
- Puri Rath Yatra
- Location
- Puri, Odisha
- Date
- June 2024
- Casualties
- 2 deaths, 5 injured
- Security Personnel Deployed
- Over 13,000
- Estimated Crowd Size
- 8-12 lakh people
- Security Measures
- CCTV, AI-assisted cameras, drones, evacuation corridors, temporary medical facilities, LED screens
- Advice from Police
- Avoid bringing infants, small children, elderly persons, and patients