At least 30 people were killed in a stampede at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj as millions gathered for ritual bathing. The deadly incident highlights ongoing crowd control challenges at religious festivals. Authorities have urged caution, while rescue efforts continue.
A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, with many others injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday as a massive crowd of Hindu devotees surged toward the sacred confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers for ritual bathing.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people were trampled in the rush, with elderly individuals and women among the most affected. “I was pushed to the ground, and people fell on top of me,” said one survivor. Rescue teams worked through the night, pulling victims from the dense crowd while paramedics treated the wounded.
Stampedes are a recurring tragedy at large religious gatherings in India, where millions attend festivals like the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Authorities had implemented safety measures, including surveillance cameras and crowd control barriers, but the sheer number of attendees overwhelmed security personnel.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the event “deeply saddening.” Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi blamed poor crowd management and excessive focus on VIP arrangements for the disaster.
As the six-week festival continues, officials have urged pilgrims to avoid the main bathing site, while extra security personnel have been deployed. However, concerns remain about managing the massive crowds expected in the coming weeks.
The Kumbh Mela has a history of deadly incidents, with past stampedes in 1954 and 2013 claiming dozens of lives.
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