A pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, on January 29 has left dozens dead, as tens of millions of pilgrims gathered for a sacred river dip on one of the most auspicious days of the six-week Hindu festival.
Authorities have yet to confirm the official death toll, but nearly 40 bodies were brought to the Moti Lal Nehru Medical College hospital morgue, with a Reuters witness counting 39 bodies. Police sources confirmed all were stampede victims, and more casualties are expected.
Chaos and Tragedy at the Sacred Bathing Site
The disaster struck as crowds surged towards the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, a site considered especially sacred for ritual bathing. Witnesses reported intense pushing, shoving, and trampling, with elderly and women among the worst affected.
Pilgrim Renu Devi, 48, described how the crowd collapsed on top of her:
“When the crowd surged, elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came forward to help.”
Rescue teams navigated through discarded clothing and shoes, while police carried bodies on stretchers, covering them with blankets. Hundreds of distraught relatives gathered outside hospitals, searching for their loved ones.
Political Reactions and Safety Concerns
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured assistance to victims. However, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the tragedy on poor crowd management, accusing officials of prioritizing VIP pilgrims over public safety.
Officials have since urged devotees to avoid the main bathing site and use alternative locations. Despite enhanced security measures, including hundreds of surveillance cameras and drones, the massive influx of pilgrims overwhelmed safety controls.
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, has a history of deadly stampedes, with 400 deaths recorded in 1954 and 36 fatalities in 2013. This year’s event is expected to draw up to 400 million pilgrims before concluding on February 26.
