According to eyewitnesses, the initial rescue efforts were led by relatives of the victims, with no visible presence of administrative support, a lapse Patnaik called “shocking.”

BJD president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday sharply criticised the state government following a stampede near Puri’s Gundicha Temple that claimed at least three lives and left around 50 injured.

The tragic incident occurred around 4 am as large crowds gathered to witness the Rath Yatra festivities, according to officials.

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Patnaik, who now serves as Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, expressed condolences and prayed for the recovery of the injured but accused the BJP-led government of failing to manage the annual event.

“Today’s stampede, occurring just a day after the abysmal failure of crowd management during the Rath Yatra that left hundreds injured, exposes the government’s glaring incompetence,” he said in a post on X.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, #Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident. Today’s stampede,… — Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 29, 2025

According to Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain, the stampede occurred when two trucks carrying ritual materials entered a densely packed area near the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

According to eyewitnesses, the initial rescue efforts were led by relatives of the victims, with no visible presence of administrative support, a lapse Patnaik called “shocking.”

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The BJD chief stopped short of accusing the government of criminal negligence but said its “blatant callousness” had undeniably contributed to the chaos. He urged immediate action to ensure the smooth conduct of upcoming rituals, including Adapa Bije, Bahuda Yatra, and Suna Besha, which are integral parts of the Rath Yatra celebrations.

Patnaik’s remarks come amid growing concerns over crowd control during major religious events in Odisha.

The stampede at Saradhabali, one of the most sensitive areas along the Rath Yatra route, has prompted calls for an independent inquiry and improved safety protocols ahead of the return journey of the deities scheduled for July 5.