The Odisha government said the 2026 Puri Rath Yatra concluded peacefully despite continuous rain, with nearly 8–9 lakh devotees participating. It clarified that two devotees who died during the festival were not victims of a stampede or crowd management failure, adding that extensive safety and emergency arrangements were in place.

One devotee was reportedly killed in an alleged stampede-like situation during the Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha. While officials are yet to confirm the death, eyewitnesses said dozens fell after a barricade collapsed or people lost balance, with around 200 devotees reportedly hospitalised