At least 30 people lost their lives in a devastating crowd crush during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, India, on Wednesday morning. This tragic incident occurred as millions of Hindu devotees gathered for a holy dip in the Ganges, part of the sacred ritual that draws an expected 400 million attendees by the festival’s conclusion in February.
The chaos unfolded when worshippers, eager to cleanse themselves of sins, flooded the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. As the numbers swelled overnight, many pilgrims were trampled while others slept on the riverbank. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath estimated that up to 100 million people would participate in the rituals.
“About 90 individuals were transported to hospitals, but tragically, 30 devotees have died. Of these, 25 have been identified, while the others remain unknown,” stated Uttar Pradesh Deputy Inspector General Vaibhav Krishna during a press conference.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the scene. Local journalist Vivek Kumar described the chaotic aftermath, stating, “Since 2 a.m., ambulances have been continuously moving. I have witnessed people crying and wailing after being separated from their loved ones.”
Another witness, Vishu Vinod Shukla, expressed the desperation felt by attendees searching for family members, many of whom gathered outside the mortuary, visibly distraught. “The scene was disturbing. I saw piles of torn clothing, abandoned shoes, and personal items scattered about,” he recounted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences via social media, expressing sorrow for the families affected by the tragedy. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized local authorities for what he termed “mismanagement,” suggesting it contributed to the deadly situation.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which occurs every 12 years and is regarded as the “festival of festivals,” is particularly significant this year, referred to as “maha” or “grand.” This gathering, noted as the world’s largest religious assembly, takes place only once every 144 years, coinciding with a rare celestial alignment of the sun, moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Crowd crushes at the Kumbh Mela are not unprecedented. Previous festivals have seen significant tragedies, including a 2013 stampede at a train station that resulted in 42 deaths, and a 1986 tragedy where at least 200 were killed in Haridwar. The first Kumbh Mela held post-independence in 1954 saw 800 people trampled to death. As the nation mourns, calls for improved crowd management at such large-scale events will undoubtedly intensify.
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