A crowd surge during the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries on Thursday, authorities reported. The incident occurred as tens of thousands of devotees gathered for the centuries-old Hindu procession.

The Rath Yatra, one of the world’s largest and oldest religious festivals, involves carrying the idols of Hindu deities out of the Jagannath Temple and parading them through the town in elaborately decorated chariots. This year’s event attracted a large number of participants, contributing to heavy crowd density in the coastal town.

Officials said the surge caused panic among the attendees, with many sustaining injuries. Emergency responders were seen assisting those hurt and transporting them to nearby hospitals for treatment. Footage from the scene showed scattered personal items such as shoes and bags left behind amid the chaos.

Local authorities have yet to release detailed information on the cause of the crowd surge or the exact number of people injured. Organizers and security personnel continue to manage the situation to prevent further incidents as the festival proceeds.

The Rath Yatra holds significant cultural and religious importance, drawing pilgrims and tourists from across India and around the world each year. Security measures are typically heightened during the event to handle large crowds, but the dense congregation on Thursday overwhelmed some areas, resulting in the deadly stampede.