A devastating crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has claimed dozens of lives in Prayagraj, India. The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday as millions of Hindu devotees gathered to take a ritual bath in the sacred river during one of the festival’s holiest days.
The Incident and Rising Death Toll
Chaos erupted when a barricade near the river collapsed under the immense pressure of the surging crowd. Witnesses described a sudden stampede as worshippers rushed toward the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to participate in the Mauni Amavasya ritual.
Hospital sources reported receiving at least 35 bodies, with more fatalities expected. Meanwhile, authorities provided a conflicting death toll, stating that around 90 people were rushed to medical facilities, with at least 30 confirmed dead. Over 20 others sustained minor injuries and received treatment on-site.
Prime Minister and Local Leaders Respond
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, acknowledging the loss of life and injuries. “This tragedy has taken many virtuous souls. My thoughts are with the affected families, and I pray for the recovery of the injured,” he said in an official statement. Modi also assured that he is in close contact with the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the situation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation about the incident. He confirmed that emergency teams responded immediately, transporting victims to hospitals and working to prevent further casualties.
Eyewitness Accounts and Scenes of Panic
Survivors described terrifying moments as the stampede unfolded. One woman recounted how she and her family were caught in the overwhelming surge of people. “We suddenly found ourselves stuck. People started pushing aggressively, and we fell,” she told local media.
Footage from the scene showed paramedics and security personnel carrying bodies on stretchers while ambulances navigated through massive crowds. Personal belongings, shoes, and blankets were scattered along the riverbank, evidence of the chaos that had ensued.
Massive Turnout Despite Safety Measures
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a colossal event, attracting millions of worshippers from across India and the world. Officials had estimated that up to 100 million people would visit the site on Wednesday alone, with 50 million taking a dip the previous day.
Authorities had taken precautions, deploying over 1,000 police officers and installing more than 2,700 AI-powered security cameras. Drones were also deployed for aerial surveillance, while underwater drones monitored the riverbanks. However, the sheer volume of attendees created an overwhelming challenge for crowd control.
A History of Deadly Stampedes
Tragic crowd surges at religious gatherings in India are not uncommon. In 2013, dozens were killed in a stampede at a railway station in Allahabad during the Kumbh Mela. Similar incidents have occurred at other major religious events, highlighting ongoing concerns about public safety and crowd management.
Despite the tragedy, pilgrims continued arriving at the festival, determined to complete their sacred rites. The Uttar Pradesh government has urged attendees to spread out across different bathing points to avoid further risks.
As investigations continue, officials vow to improve safety protocols to prevent such disasters in the future.
Add Comment