Multiple people were killed in a crowd crush at India’s largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh Mela, early Wednesday. The fatal accident occurred as tens of millions of devotees attempted to bath in the sacred waters near the riverbanks on one of the most significant days of the festival. Tens of bodies have been recovered, with the death toll expected to rise further. About 20 injured were treated locally. Indian authorities are yet to confirm exact casualties, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the tragedy, expressing condolences for affected families and praying for the injured’s speedy recovery. State chief minister Yogi Adityanath has warned against spreading rumors among devotees caught up in the crush, which included seriously injured individuals. Security forces reported seeing several dead bodies at the site, with ambulances and stretchers carrying victims away. Crowds spilled into the surrounding area as officials scrambled to manage the situation. Devotees described chaotic scenes, with many running in different directions and others collapsing nearby. Witnesses reported separating families amid the stampede and some remain missing. Devotees said the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., just hours before the start of one of India’s most iconic religious rituals. officials have stated that extra safety measures were in place ahead of the festival, including security checkpoints and advanced surveillance systems with both aerial and underwater drones. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every three years in rotation across four cities, with this year marking a rare celestial alignment. This edition will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/28/india/crowd-crush-kumbh-mela-india-intl-latam-hnk/index.html