During the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, India, a crowd crush resulted in multiple fatalities early Wednesday. Tens of millions of devotees had gathered to bathe in the sacred rivers on Mauni Amavasya, a significant day of the festival.
Reports indicate that a barrier near the river broke, causing chaos as people rushed towards the riverbanks. The death toll is expected to rise as hospitals received 35 bodies with more casualties incoming. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the affected families and assured support for the injured.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes with people running in different directions, families being separated, and individuals falling over. The incident occurred between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time, with devotees caught in the crush suffering serious injuries.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is known as the world's largest peaceful gathering, attracting millions of Hindu devotees seeking spiritual purification. The festival, held every three years in rotation among four cities, carries great significance this year due to a rare celestial alignment.
Despite safety measures in place, crowd crushes at religious gatherings in India have been a recurring issue, underscoring the need for improved crowd control and safety protocols. The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges posed by managing such massive gatherings.
As the authorities work to address the aftermath of the tragedy, the focus remains on providing support to the victims and their families while ensuring the safety of the remaining festival attendees.
