PRAYAGRAJ, India (Diya TV) — Reports by The Guardian indicate that at least 38 people have died while scores were left injured after a stampede occurred early Wednesday morning at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The sad incident occurred on a day when millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati- believed to be a mythical river-for the ritual dip.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the massive crowd surged toward the sacred waters. Security personnel struggled to manage the overwhelming numbers, leading to multiple stampedes. The exact cause of the initial surge remains under investigation.
This is yet to be commented from the state government of Uttar Pradesh, but a statement from the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, calls for instant relief measures and additional safety procedures on site. Religious leaders and authorities are advising pilgrims to not converge at the main bathing site and instead head towards different locations to avoid overcrowding.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest events in Hinduism, occurring every 12 years. This year’s festival is significant, as it takes place every 144 years, and an unprecedented number of devotees have thronged to it. The authorities had estimated that more than 400 million people would visit the place during the 45-day event. The sheer number of participants presented enormous challenges, despite all the preparations, which included a tent city and thousands of security cameras.
This incident forms part of a history of tragic events occurring at large religious gatherings in the country. In 2013, during the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, a stampede proved fatal for 36 people. More recently, according to Reuters, last July 2024, 121 people died in a stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
