Prayagraj: A tragic crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, claimed multiple lives early Wednesday. Millions of Hindu devotees had gathered to take a holy dip in the sacred river on one of the festival’s most significant days.
Barrier Collapse Leads to Chaos
The disaster unfolded when a barrier near the riverbanks gave way under pressure from the massive crowd. Pilgrims were moving towards the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge. As the structure broke, panic ensued, leading to a deadly stampede.
Casualties and Injuries Reported
An official at a local hospital reported receiving 14 bodies around 4 a.m. local time. Additionally, about 20 people sustained minor injuries. However, Indian authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties.
PM Modi Expresses Condolences
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the tragedy in a public address. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the grieving families. Modi also assured the nation that he remains in close contact with the Uttar Pradesh state government regarding relief efforts.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Panic
Witnesses at the scene described scenes of chaos. Many were already resting on the riverbanks after their holy dip when the crush occurred. Survivors recalled how the crowd suddenly became uncontrollable, leading to people falling and getting trampled.
One woman outside a local hospital told reporters, “Suddenly, there was a huge rush, and we got trapped. People started pushing aggressively, and we fell.”
Families were separated, and many are still searching for missing loved ones.
Massive Crowds on Sacred Day
Wednesday marked Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Devotees believe that bathing in the sacred waters on this day cleanses sins and brings spiritual liberation. Reports indicate that nearly 100 million people had gathered in Prayagraj for the occasion, with more than 50 million taking their dip a day earlier.
Authorities Struggle to Manage Crowd
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the situation was now under control but admitted that the overwhelming number of people had created “huge pressure.”
Security officials had urged devotees to bathe at alternative locations to ease congestion, but vast crowds continued to flock to the main site.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
Despite heightened security measures, the tragedy raises concerns about crowd control at large religious events in India. Authorities had deployed over 1,000 police officers and set up AI-powered security cameras for monitoring. Drones were also used for aerial surveillance, while underwater drones were introduced for the first time to enhance safety.
However, history shows that crowd crushes remain a recurring issue. In 2013, a similar tragedy at a railway station during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad resulted in dozens of deaths.
Significance of Maha Kumbh Mela
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious gathering, drawing millions of devotees, ascetics, and spiritual leaders. It occurs every 12 years in one of four rotating cities: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
This year’s event holds even greater spiritual significance due to a rare celestial alignment that happens once every 144 years. As of January 27, over 197 million people had already taken a dip in the holy waters, according to government records.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities are investigating the cause of the barrier collapse and evaluating whether sufficient safety measures were in place. Meanwhile, emergency services continue their rescue and relief efforts.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in managing massive gatherings. As the festival progresses, officials are on high alert to prevent further incidents.
