Ananya Lohia , Bhubaneswar - A stampede-like situation unfolded during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on Thursday as heavy crowd congestion along the Grand Road left hundreds of devotees in distress. Emergency teams rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations.

According to preliminary reports, around 200 devotees suffered breathing difficulties due to the massive crowd and were rescued by the Special Rescue Unit. They were given first aid and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Reports also claimed that one devotee died after reportedly falling unconscious due to suffocation, although authorities are yet to officially confirm the death.

Following the incident, security personnel, volunteers and emergency teams intensified crowd management measures and created additional passageways to ease congestion. The incident comes just weeks after a stampede near the Gundicha Temple during this year's Rath Yatra claimed three lives and injured several others.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as lakhs of devotees participate in the world-famous Rath Yatra, with enhanced security and emergency measures in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims.