'Stampede-like situation': At least two dead, 130 injured during Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha

NEW DELHI: At least two people died and nearly 130 got injured during Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha, officials informed on Monday. The deaths occurred in two different incidents at Yatra.
During the Rath Yatra in Puri on Sunday, a resident of Bolangir district reportedly died due to suffocation in a stampede-like situation, 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," Sushant Kumar Patnaik, an ambulance attendant said.
In another incident police reported that a devotee allegedly died after being caught under the wheels of a chariot.
Odisha DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi responded on the incident saying, "All security arrangements have been made...yesterday's incident was due to suffocation, it is too humid and hot... the administration has made adequate facilities to shift those people who fall unwell. Water sprinklers have been set up and drinking water is being supplied."
An ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the dead has been announced by Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi.
Revenue minister Suresh Pujari paid a visit to 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, Bijay Mohapatra, a health official said that only 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.
The Yatra resumed on Monday around 9.30am amid tight security arrangements.