India: India: Two killed, over 100 devotees faint amid massive crowd.

Puri, India - July 17, 2026 Two persons died and several others were injured after a crowd surge on Badadanda, the wide road in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, during the pulling of chariots on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday (July 16, 2026).The stampede-like situation occurred near the Marichikote Chowk when devotees were pushed aside to make way for an ambulance moving through the crowd. Amid the massive rush, several people fell over one another, leading to injuries. The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, many with fractures in their hands and legs.“The overall conduct of the festival remained peaceful, orderly and well managed. There was no incident of stampede or any systemic breakdown of crowd management,” the Chief Minister’s Office said, while confirming the deaths of two persons. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at Badadanda during Rath Yatra. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for the swift recovery of the injured,” former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.