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Puri stampede: Odisha CM apologizes to devotees, promises probe
29 Jun 2025

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has apologized to devotees after a stampede near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri.

The incident, which took place early on Sunday during Rath Yatra festivities, left three people dead and around 50 injured.

In a post on social media platform X, CM Majhi expressed his condolences and promised an investigation into security lapses that led to the tragedy.

Meanwhile, he has announced ₹25 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased.

CM Majhi's post on X
Official response

"I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees. We express our condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives... pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath to grant them the strength to bear this profound sorrow," CM Majhi said.

He added, "This negligence is unpardonable. An immediate investigation into the security lapses will be conducted, and I have directed that necessary steps be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible."

Law Minister speaks on incident
On-site assessment

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the state Director General of Police (DGP) has been sent to the site of the incident.

Harichandan said, "It is an unfortunate incident. We are taking note of that. I spoke with the CM this morning. We are taking stringent action."

Majhi has also ordered a comprehensive administrative inquiry into the incident, which will be conducted under the Development Commissioner, Anu Garg.

How Members of Opposition reacted
Opposition's reaction

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep pain over the stampede near a temple in Odisha's Puri, emphasizing that the negligence and mismanagement that caused this tragedy are inexcusable.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday stated that the stampede near Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri revealed the state government's significant failure in ensuring a peaceful Rath Yatra for devotees.

Stampede occurred around 4am
Event details

The stampede occurred around 4:00am as hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple for Rath Yatra festivities.

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, with six in critical condition.

The annual Rath Yatra involves pulling the holy chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra to Gundicha Temple, a short distance from Jagannath Temple.

This year, the Rath Yatra started on Friday.