A stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, claimed more than seven lives and injured around 10 others on Wednesday as millions gathered for a holy dip on the festival’s most auspicious day, reports Reuters.
Drone footage captured enormous pre-dawn crowds at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with bodies carried on stretchers and distraught devotees searching for loved ones amid abandoned belongings.
The initial stampede occurred at 1 a.m. but escalated when devotees seeking alternative exits were blocked by closed pontoon bridges, triggering further panic. "I saw people falling and being trampled, with many children and women crying for help," said Ravin, a devotee from Mumbai.
Rapid Action Force units were deployed, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for immediate support, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to use nearby riverbanks to avoid overcrowding.
The festival, expected to draw 100 million people on Wednesday alone due to a rare celestial alignment, has already seen 148 million attendees in two weeks. A similar stampede at the 2013 festival killed 36 pilgrims. Despite enhanced security, AI crowd management, and special transport arrangements, the scale of the event continues to pose significant challenges.
The 'royal bath,' a central ritual, was called off after the incident. Ascetics like Ravindra Puri expressed sorrow, emphasizing the need for safety. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the tragedy while managing the remaining festivities.
Hindus believe bathing at the confluence absolves sins and offers salvation, drawing global attention to this colossal congregation, which includes political figures, industrialists, and international celebrities.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
