Puri: Panic gripped the Swargadwar area in Puri after miscreants allegedly attacked a group of tourists with an iron pipe late on Wednesday night, leaving one of them critically injured.

The incident reportedly occurred near Chaitanya Chowk, close to the Swargadwar area, a busy location frequently visited by tourists. According to reports, the victims were tourists from West Bengal, including a man identified as Anand and his companions.

During the attack, Anand sustained a severe head injury after being struck with an iron pipe, leading to heavy bleeding. A video from the scene shows the injured tourist pleading for help while the attackers allegedly continued to assault his friends.

After receiving information about the incident, a police patrol van rushed to the spot and rescued the injured tourists. They were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri for treatment. Doctors said Anand had suffered a deep head wound and was undergoing medical care.

The exact reason behind the attack is still unclear. Police have initiated a preliminary inquiry into the incident. However, no written complaint has been lodged at the police station so far.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of tourists in the coastal town, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.