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.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly denied claims that the United States played any role in mediating the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, according to India's top diplomat.
India expects to conclude a free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his visit to Cyprus.
At least six people were killed and several others injured after a bridge collapsed in Maharashtra’s Pune district.
A private helicopter ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed in India’s Uttarakhand state early Sunday, killing all seven people on board, including two children, in what authorities are calling a total-loss tragedy in the remote Himalayan region.
India has launched a full investigation into the fatal crash of Air India Flight AI171, as officials recover the black box and initiate extended safety checks on the country’s entire Boeing 787 fleet.
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee is under scrutiny following revelations that she used a secure presidential phone line to speak with a top aide just weeks before being questioned in a major stock price manipulation and bribery probe.
The Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Maldives, which exempts holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from visa requirements, officially takes effect on June 18, 2025.
The 7th International Music Festival “World of Mugham” opened with a grand ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on June 17, uniting artists and scholars from over 25 countries.
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Leaders from China and five Central Asian nations convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Second China–Central Asia Summit (June 16–18, 2025).
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Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The French city of Lyon has introduced new restrictions on car traffic in its historic centre as part of a broader plan to reduce air pollution and prioritize sustainable urban living.
Berlin is preparing a new bill to accelerate arms purchases and prioritize domestic weapons production, aiming to respond swiftly to growing security threats triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee is under scrutiny following revelations that she used a secure presidential phone line to speak with a top aide just weeks before being questioned in a major stock price manipulation and bribery probe.
The Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Maldives, which exempts holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from visa requirements, officially takes effect on June 18, 2025.
The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee is under scrutiny following revelations that she used a secure presidential phone line to speak with a top aide just weeks before being questioned in a major stock price manipulation and bribery probe.
The Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Maldives, which exempts holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from visa requirements, officially takes effect on June 18, 2025.
The 7th International Music Festival “World of Mugham” opened with a grand ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on June 17, uniting artists and scholars from over 25 countries.
The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.
Leaders from China and five Central Asian nations convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Second China–Central Asia Summit (June 16–18, 2025).
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