A deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, left at least seven people dead and dozens injured in the early hours of Wednesday, according to an unnamed official. However, local authorities have yet to confirm the casualties.
The incident occurred as massive crowds rushed to take a pre-dawn dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers—a ritual believed to absolve sins and grant liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with people falling and being trampled as crowds surged toward the river. "We saw people falling, lying on top of one another, and crushing others in search of a safe place," said Shweta Tripathi, a festival attendee from Uttar Pradesh.
By Tuesday, nearly 200 million people had attended the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, which is expected to draw around 400 million over its six-week duration. Visuals from the site showed scattered belongings, distressed attendees searching for lost items, and some carrying containers filled with holy water.
Abhishek Kumar, another attendee, recounted the lack of crowd control. "Some were returning after their dip while others rushed forward, leading to a crush. There was no coordination," he told ABP news. He and others carried injured women to a makeshift hospital, unsure if they had survived.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the cause of the stampede or the number of casualties.
Read next
07:14
India
A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, India, has left at least seven people dead and ten others injured as thousands gathered for a sacred ritual in Prayagraj.
22:31
China - India
Chinese FM Wang Yi urges stronger China-India ties, emphasizing trust and collaboration amid global challenges. As economic giants and neighbours, their cooperation could shape Asia's future.
16:13
India
A deadly explosion at an ordnance factory in Bhandara, Maharashtra, claimed the lives of at least eight people and left seven others injured on Friday, January 24.
09:40
At least 11 people killed in western Maharashtra when passengers, fearing a fire, disembarked from their train and were struck by another passing train.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment