Negligence, mismanagement that led to Puri temple stampede inexcusable: Congress

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday, 29 June, said he was deeply pained by the stampede near a temple in Odisha’s Puri, and asserted that the “negligence and mismanagement” which led to the tragedy are inexcusable.

At least three persons, including two women, were killed and around 50 others injured in the stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple on Sunday morning, officials said.

“I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured devotees. The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable,” Kharge said in a post on X.

The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, Puri district collector Siddharth S. Swain said.

I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 29, 2025

3 killed, 50 injured in stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, and the condition of six people is critical, he said.

“The state government and authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the grave lapses that caused this incident. Ensuring public safety and effective crowd management is paramount, especially during pre-planned festivities. Those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable under the law,” Kharge said.

The Congress Party stands in solidarity with the devotees and commits to supporting all efforts to provide relief, medical assistance, and aid to the affected families, he added.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the Puri temple stampede as "extremely tragic", and urged the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts.

At least three persons, including two women, were killed and around 50 others injured in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri on Sunday morning, officials said.

The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, they said.

Rahul Gandhi also called upon Congress workers to extend all possible assistance in the relief efforts.

"This tragedy is a serious reminder that security and crowd management preparations for such large events must be thoroughly reviewed. Protecting lives is paramount, and any lapse in this responsibility is unacceptable," he said in a post on X.

“I express my deep condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees. I appeal to the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts and urge Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in this regard,” Rahul Gandhi said.

पुरी में रथ यात्रा के दौरान हुई भगदड़ की घटना अत्यंत दुखद है। शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदना और घायल श्रद्धालुओं के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।

ओडिशा सरकार से अपील है कि राहत कार्यों में तेजी लाए और कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ताओं से आग्रह है कि वो इसमें हर संभव मदद…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 29, 2025