editor
What was meant to be a deeply spiritual gathering turned into a tragedy early Wednesday when a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela left at least seven people dead and around ten others injured.
The massive Hindu pilgrimage, which draws millions of devotees to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, saw chaotic scenes as crowds surged toward the water in the pre-dawn hours.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden rush near the riverbank, where people were jostling to take the ritual dip believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual liberation. “The push from behind was intense. We had barricades in front of us and police trying to control the crowd, but people started falling,” said Vijay Kumar, a pilgrim who traveled from Patna.
Drone footage captured the vast sea of people arriving before sunrise, their movements tightly packed as they navigated the temporary township set up for the six-week festival. As the stampede unfolded, confusion and panic spread. Some tried to help the fallen, while others, desperate to escape, stepped over abandoned shoes, bags, and clothes scattered on the ground.
In the aftermath, rescue teams worked quickly to evacuate the injured, while ambulances maneuvered through the dense crowds. A local official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the casualties. “More than seven people have died, and around ten others are being treated for injuries,” he said, adding that the exact cause of the stampede was still under investigation.
Among the grieving families was a woman who had traveled with her mother for the holy occasion. Overcome with sorrow, she recounted the terrifying moment. “People kept stepping on us. I managed to survive, but my mother is gone,” she said, her voice breaking.
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Authorities had put in place security measures, including barricades and police patrols, to manage the overwhelming crowds, but as seen in past festivals, controlling millions of devotees in a confined space remains a formidable challenge. Similar tragedies have occurred in previous years, raising concerns about crowd management at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years, holds deep religious significance for Hindus, who believe that bathing in the sacred waters brings spiritual purification. Despite the sorrow that now hangs over this year’s festival, the devotion and faith of millions remain unshaken.
