Thirty Killed in Stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela Festival
Tragic crowd crush marred the world's largest religious gathering in Prayagraj, as tens of millions attended the Hindu festival.
At least 30 people have tragically lost their lives in a crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival, the largest religious gathering in the world, held annually in India. The incident took place on Wednesday morning at the sacred riverbanks of Prayagraj, where millions of Hindu pilgrims had gathered for a sacred day of ritual bathing.
According to police, the stampede occurred as pilgrims rushed toward the riverbanks to participate in the auspicious royal bath, known as Shahi Snan. Over 60 others were injured in the chaos, and authorities are still working to identify the victims. The initial casualty reports were delayed, leading to accusations of poor transparency from opposition leaders.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured. Many families remain anxious, still searching for loved ones who have gone missing in the confusion.
Scenes of Chaos at the Kumbh Mela
Eyewitnesses at the scene described horrific scenes of panic, with clothes, shoes, and personal belongings scattered across the ground. "People were running in all directions, trying to escape, but they kept falling over each other," said one witness, Ayesha Mishra. "Children were crushed in the crowd, and people were helpless."
Videos from the incident showed bodies being pulled from the muddy ground, some of the victims covered in bruises and dirt. Ambulances rushed to and from the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
As the day unfolded, confusion reigned, with local hospitals cordoning off the affected areas and reporters barred from entering. Initially, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, acknowledged serious injuries but did not confirm the fatalities. Prime Minister Modi, in his social media statement, referred to the incident as "extremely sad" and hoped for the quick recovery of those injured.
Despite the tragedy, crowds continued to flood the venue. By 2 p.m. local time, more than 50 million pilgrims had taken part in the holy dip, according to official figures. The Kumbh Mela is an event that happens once every 12 years at the Sangam, the confluence of the sacred rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
A Day of Rituals and Reverence
The Kumbh Mela, which started on January 13 and runs until February 26, is a vibrant festival that sees millions of pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj for spiritual purification. The Shahi Snan on Wednesday is one of the festival's most important events, where large processions of ascetics, including those covered in ash, gather to bathe in the sacred waters.
However, what began as a day of joyous rituals soon turned into disaster. Eyewitnesses described the scene shortly after the crush: devotees had been resting near the riverbanks when the crowd surged towards them. The panic intensified as many tried to flee, causing people to be trampled underfoot.
For hours, survivors searched desperately for their loved ones in the chaos. One such person, Anita Devi, told the BBC she had been separated from her husband in the crush. "He needs his medicines, but when the crowd surged, I lost his hand and haven’t seen him since," she said tearfully.
Crowd Management Issues
The tragedy has prompted criticism from opposition leaders and pilgrims alike, who have pointed to the lack of proper crowd control measures. Rahul Gandhi, an opposition leader, criticized the government for focusing more on VIP movement than the safety of regular devotees. "Mismanagement at such a large event is unacceptable," he posted on social media.
Ayesha Mishra, a witness at the scene, questioned why there were no police officers near the site of the crush. "The police were stationed at the end of the venue, but there was no presence where the crowds were most concentrated," she said.
Authorities Address the Situation
Following the tragedy, authorities have assured that the situation at the Kumbh Mela is now under control. However, the disaster has cast a shadow over the spiritual significance of the event, as people continue to mourn and search for the missing.
Crowd crushes have been a recurring issue at large religious gatherings in India, with past incidents causing significant casualties. Despite the measures taken, the sheer scale of such events presents an ongoing challenge for the organizers and authorities.
As the festival continues, officials are working to ensure the safety of the remaining pilgrims, but the scars of the tragedy will likely linger long after the last holy bath is taken.