The tragedy unfolded as millions had arrived for a sacred bathing ritual.
Several worshippers killed in stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela festival. A deadly stampede struck at the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj early Wednesday, leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured, according to a doctor at the festival site. The tragedy occurred during one of the holiest days of the six-week festival, which attracts millions of Hindu devotees from across the world.
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, is renowned as the world’s largest religious gathering. As millions gathered for a sacred ritual bathing to cleanse their sins, chaos ensued when a crowd control barrier collapsed, causing a deadly crush.
Eyewitness Accounts and Details of the Tragedy
Survivors of the incident described a sudden surge in the crowd as pilgrims, many of them trying to reach the riverbank, were crushed in the panic. “Suddenly, a crowd started pushing, and many people were crushed,” said Malti Pandey, a 42-year-old pilgrim who narrowly escaped the disaster.
Rescue teams were seen carrying victims away from the site, which was littered with clothes, shoes, and discarded belongings. Police officers moved quickly through the crowd, bearing stretchers draped with the bodies of victims, as anxious relatives gathered near a temporary hospital set up for the festival.
The Festival’s Grim History
This is not the first deadly crowd disaster at the Kumbh Mela. In 1954, over 400 people died in a single day after being trampled or drowned. In 2013, 36 people were killed during the festival’s previous iteration in Prayagraj. Tragically, deadly crowd accidents have become a notorious feature of the festival, which draws an overwhelming number of devotees.
The tragedy unfolded as millions had arrived for a sacred bathing ritual. On this day, saffron-clad holy men were scheduled to lead the procession, but following the stampede, festival officials urged pilgrims to stay away from the bathing site, citing security concerns.
“We humbly request all devotees not to come to the main bathing spot,” one festival staffer announced over a loudspeaker, as authorities worked to manage the situation and maintain order.
The Scale of the Event
This year’s Kumbh Mela, expected to draw up to 400 million pilgrims, has been described by organizers as resembling a temporary nation in terms of its scale. Authorities had made extensive efforts to improve safety, including installing hundreds of surveillance cameras and drones to monitor the crowd. Despite these measures, the sheer number of people at the event remains a significant challenge to crowd control.
Local government official Akanksha Rana confirmed that the stampede began after a crowd control barrier collapsed. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, with many survivors and family members expressing shock and grief.
As the tragedy unfolded, numerous attendees, including Sanjay Nishad, chose to leave the site. “My family got scared, so we’re leaving,” he said, reflecting the fear that has gripped the festival.
The Kumbh Mela is not only a religious pilgrimage but also a symbol of unity for millions of Hindus around the world. As the festival continues until February 26, authorities are under intense scrutiny to ensure the safety of the remaining pilgrims.
