A devastating incident during Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering globally, has resulted in at least 30 lives lost and around 60 injured as devotees were caught in a deadly crowd crush at Prayagraj.
Kumbh Mela Tragedy: 30 Dead After Devotees Trampled in Crowd Surge
Kumbh Mela Tragedy: 30 Dead After Devotees Trampled in Crowd Surge
At least 30 fatalities reported at India's Kumbh Mela due to overwhelming festival crowds.
The crush occurred early Wednesday morning as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were engaged in sacred bathing rituals. Authorities stated that the tragedy unfolded when a highly anticipated bathing day drew enormous crowds to the riverbanks, with many people anxiously awaiting their chance to participate in the religious practice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences via social media, expressing sadness over the incident and wishing a quick recovery for the injured. As families searched for missing relatives in the aftermath, critics of the government noted the lack of transparency surrounding casualty figures, which took most of the day to emerge.
Eyewitness reports from the chaotic scene describe panic as devotees attempted to flee. One passerby, Ayesha Mishra, recounted a terrifying moment when people were trampled and separated from their loved ones. "People were going in every direction," she explained. "Children were getting crushed by the crowds."
As authorities worked to manage the vast number of attendees at the festival, reports indicated over 50 million had already bathed by early afternoon, with the total expected to reach 100 million. The Kumbh Mela is not only a religious event but a massive cultural gathering attracting people from all walks of life, including pilgrims, politicians, and celebrities.
Uncertainty about the situation plagued the venue as long delays in communication compounded the chaos. Many stated they felt apprehensive but lacked information to guide their actions. Confusion prevented effective crowd management despite previous announcements attempted by officials.
As night fell, many remained at the scene of devastation, searching for lost possessions and loved ones among the remnants of the crush, which left a haunting sight of discarded belongings strewn across the mud. The incident has reignited concerns about safety measures at large gatherings in India, where similar tragedies have marred previous events.
In light of the sorrowful event, opposition leaders have voiced their discontent, blaming inadequate safety preparations and mismanagement at the festival. Rahul Gandhi criticized the authorities for prioritizing VIPs over the safety of ordinary devotees, urging for accountability and better crowd control measures in future gatherings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences via social media, expressing sadness over the incident and wishing a quick recovery for the injured. As families searched for missing relatives in the aftermath, critics of the government noted the lack of transparency surrounding casualty figures, which took most of the day to emerge.
Eyewitness reports from the chaotic scene describe panic as devotees attempted to flee. One passerby, Ayesha Mishra, recounted a terrifying moment when people were trampled and separated from their loved ones. "People were going in every direction," she explained. "Children were getting crushed by the crowds."
As authorities worked to manage the vast number of attendees at the festival, reports indicated over 50 million had already bathed by early afternoon, with the total expected to reach 100 million. The Kumbh Mela is not only a religious event but a massive cultural gathering attracting people from all walks of life, including pilgrims, politicians, and celebrities.
Uncertainty about the situation plagued the venue as long delays in communication compounded the chaos. Many stated they felt apprehensive but lacked information to guide their actions. Confusion prevented effective crowd management despite previous announcements attempted by officials.
As night fell, many remained at the scene of devastation, searching for lost possessions and loved ones among the remnants of the crush, which left a haunting sight of discarded belongings strewn across the mud. The incident has reignited concerns about safety measures at large gatherings in India, where similar tragedies have marred previous events.
In light of the sorrowful event, opposition leaders have voiced their discontent, blaming inadequate safety preparations and mismanagement at the festival. Rahul Gandhi criticized the authorities for prioritizing VIPs over the safety of ordinary devotees, urging for accountability and better crowd control measures in future gatherings.
