At least 30 people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a stampede during the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, as millions of Hindu devotees participated in a ritual bath at the confluence of three rivers.
Authorities reported that the incident occurred early Wednesday when crowds surged past barricades set up for a procession of religious leaders. Officials estimate that 100 million people had gathered for the sacred occasion, believing the ritual dip in the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers cleanses past sins.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the tragedy in a televised statement, confirming that the situation was now under control but acknowledging the immense crowd size. Police urged pilgrims to use alternative riverbanks to ease congestion.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the stampede unfolded. Some devotees were trapped under the weight of the crowd, with little space to escape. Hospitals were overwhelmed as injured pilgrims arrived for treatment, while families waited anxiously for news of missing relatives.
Despite the tragedy, the festival continued, with an estimated 30 million people having already taken the ritual bath by early morning. The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, is expected to draw more than 400 million visitors over its 45-day duration.
Security has been a major concern, with approximately 50,000 personnel deployed and over 2,500 cameras monitoring crowd movement. However, opposition leaders criticized the handling of the event, citing inadequate planning and preferential treatment for politicians and celebrities.
The festival has a history of deadly stampedes. In 2013, at least 40 people died in a similar incident at a train station, and last year, over 100 perished in a religious gathering in northern India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, calling the loss of life tragic. As the festival continues, authorities are under pressure to prevent further incidents and improve crowd management strategies.
