The Maha Kumbh festival, India's grandest religious gathering, was marred by tragedy early Wednesday as a stampede resulted in several feared dead and countless others injured. The incident occurred in Prayagraj, northern India, during a sacred phase of the festival, when tens of thousands of Hindu devotees had gathered to partake in ritual baths in the revered rivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate event, terming it as “extremely sad.” Though the exact number of fatalities wasn't immediately specified, Modi extended heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a speedy recovery through a heartfelt post on social media platform X.
The chaos reportedly began between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. as eager pilgrims attempted to circumvent barriers, designated for the passage of religious dignitaries, states Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In his televised address, he confirmed injuries and described a scene of disarray but did not mention fatalities even hours later. Contrary to official reports, some news outlets estimated that ten people had died.
As desperate families congregated outside a makeshift hospital seeking news of their missing loved ones, rescue teams assisted the injured while law enforcement struggled to control the throngs. The area was littered with personal belongings amidst the chaos.
The trigger for the ensuing panic remains unclear. However, Adityanath assured that the situation was now under control despite the massive and emotionally charged crowd. Records indicate that around 30 million individuals had already taken their holy dip by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities projected a turnout of up to 100 million devotees during the auspicious six-week festival, believing that immersion at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati would purify them of sins and cease the cycle of reincarnation.
This iconic festival, observed every 12 years, commenced in January and represents the planet's largest religious congregation. By now, it has already drawn close to 150 million devotees, including notable figures like Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and even international celebrities such as Chris Martin from Coldplay.
In an effort to accommodate this vast influx, authorities erected a sprawling tent metropolis along the riverbanks, furnished with roads, electricity, water, thousands of culinary facilities, and healthcare centers. Additionally, security measures include the deployment of over 50,000 personnel complemented by state-of-the-art surveillance through more than 2,500 cameras to monitor the dense crowds and avert such disasters.
Historical records indicate that stampedes during religious festivals in India are regrettably prevalent, often occurring when colossal assemblies converge upon constrained venues. A similar tragedy unfolded during the Kumbh Mela in 2013, killing at least 40 devotees in a stampede at a railway station in Prayagraj.
As the Maha Kumbh continues, both attendees and officials strive to balance devotion with safety, ensuring the commitment to spiritual cleansing doesn't overshadow the precious value of life.
