Odisha: At least two people have died and nearly 130 were injured during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha, officials reported on Monday. The fatalities occurred in separate incidents during the Yatra.
On Sunday, a Bolangir district resident reportedly died from suffocation in a stampede-like situation during the Rath Yatra in Puri, according to a health official.
"When we put him in the ambulance, his pulse was running. We took him to the hospital and gave him CPR. However, doctors declared him brought dead," said Sushant Kumar Patnaik, an ambulance attendant.
In another incident, police reported that a devotee allegedly died after being trapped under the wheels of a chariot.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari visited the injured in the hospital on Sunday.
"One person died while many others were admitted after sustaining injuries in stampede, dehydration, dysentery and other reasons. No one is serious," he said.
Over 600 individuals sought medical attention at hospitals and medical camps in Puri. However, health official Bijay Mohapatra noted that slightly more than 130 of them were admitted to hospitals.
"Such admission in hospital during Rath Yatra is normal. None of the injured is in very serious condition. We are providing treatment to the injured devotees," he said.
