Many Feared Dead in Crush at India’s Kumbh Mela Festival

Several feared dead after crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Tens of millions gathered to bathe at Triveni Sangam during Mauni Amavasya.
Indian authorities advise devotees to avoid bathing at the Sangam following the tragedy.

At least several people are feared dead following a crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, in Prayagraj, India, on Wednesday.

Tens of millions of devotees had gathered to bathe in the sacred waters on one of the most significant days of the Hindu festival.

EDITOR’S PICKS

The tragedy occurred after a barrier collapsed, according to Akanksha Rana, the festival’s special executive officer.

While Indian authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties, Rana reported that “several people” were injured and taken to hospitals, with officials still assessing the situation.

Witnesses and media reports suggest that multiple bodies were seen near the riverbank, and photos from Reuters showed bodies being transported by stretcher.

Video footage captured ambulances navigating through dense crowds, with security personnel assisting devotees amidst scattered belongings on the ground.

Devotees told local media that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time, leading to chaotic scenes as people were knocked over in the surge, with some separated from their families in the crush.

“We got stuck suddenly in the crowd. People started pushing aggressively, and we fell,” one woman told reporters from outside the hospital.

The tragedy unfolded as around 100 million Hindu worshippers were expected to visit the site on Wednesday, marking Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Pilgrims visit the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to purify themselves and seek spiritual liberation.