A stampede occurred early on June 29, 2025, near the Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, during the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra festival. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least three devotees, including two women, and injured more than 50 others amid a large crowd estimated to be between 10 to 15 lakh people. The stampede took place around 4 to 4:30 a.m. at Saradhabali as devotees surged forward for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. In response, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a personal apology and expressed condolences on behalf of his government, calling the negligence leading to the tragedy "unforgivable." He announced an immediate investigation into security lapses and ordered the suspension of Puri Deputy Commissioner of Police Bishnu Charan Pati and Police Commandant Ajay Padhi. Additionally, the Puri District Collector Siddharth S. Swain and Superintendent of Police Binit Agarwal were transferred. The government also announced a financial assistance package of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and other officials confirmed that the situation is under control and treatment of the injured is underway. Political leaders from various parties have expressed condolences and called for improved safety measures during the festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees annually.