Puri: Nearly 625 people fell ill and many had to be admitted to hospitals due to sweltering heat and overcrowding during Rath Yatra here Friday, officials said. According to Puri CDMO Kishore Satapathy, several people reported minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting, primarily due to overcrowded conditions. “Most of them were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at OPDs. There were no casualties,” he added. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the primary cause of illness among devotees was extreme heat and humid conditions. Around 70 people were undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, with nine reported to be in critical condition, an official said. Meanwhile, sources claimed many people were injured in the Balagandi area where Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour.