.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z”/>Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges river during the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj. Photograph: niharika Kulkarni/AFP/Getty Images
The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years and is the largest religious gathering in the world, with Hindus believing that bathing in the sacred rivers during the festival will cleanse them of thier sins and help them attain salvation. The festival is held at four different locations in India, with the Prayagraj site considered the holiest.
The festival has been marred by tragedy in the past. In 1954, more than 800 people died in a stampede at the kumbh Mela in Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj. In 2013, 36 people died in a stampede at the Allahabad railway station during the festival.
The Kumbh mela has also been criticised for its environmental impact, with the vast crowds generating huge amounts of waste and polluting the sacred rivers. In 2019, the Indian government launched a campaign to clean up the Ganges river, which is considered sacred by Hindus but is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
Dozens Feared Dead in Crowd Crushes at india’s Kumbh Mela Festival
Dozens of people are feared to have died in crowd crushes at india’s Kumbh Mela festival, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The tragic incident occurred as tens of millions of devotees flocked to the sacred confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu festival.
Chaos at the Riverbanks
According to eyewitness accounts, one of the worst crushes happened early Wednesday morning as large crowds descended to the river to bathe. Many others were sleeping on the congested riverbank when the surge began. As the crowd moved in multiple directions, people began to push their way out, leading to falls, trampling, and the collapse of barriers. Another crush was reported near one of the festival entrances.
In the aftermath, multiple bodies were seen lying on the riverbanks.By mid-morning, there was still no official confirmation of the death toll from the police or the Uttar Pradesh government.
A Festival of Faith and Tragedy
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the largest religious gathering in the world. Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred rivers during the festival cleanses them of sins and helps them attain salvation. This year’s event, held over 45 days in Prayagraj, has drawn a record-breaking crowd of more than 400 million people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose face was prominently displayed on posters across the festival, had earlier praised the “unusual and unforgettable crowds.” However, the sheer scale of the event has raised concerns about safety and crowd management.
Desperate Measures Amid the Chaos
On Tuesday night, as the number of attendees swelled beyond expectations, announcements over loudspeakers urged pilgrims to bathe quickly, dip twice, and leave instantly. A third dip was declared a sin, highlighting the desperate attempts to manage the overwhelming crowds.
A History of Tragedy
The Kumbh Mela has been marred by tragedy in the past. In 1954, more than 800 people died in a stampede at the festival in Allahabad (now Prayagraj).In 2013, 36 people lost their lives in a stampede at the Allahabad railway station during the event.
Environmental Concerns
The festival has also faced criticism for its environmental impact. The massive crowds generate significant waste, polluting the sacred rivers. In 2019, the Indian government launched a campaign to clean up the Ganges, which is revered by Hindus but remains one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
Key Facts about the Kumbh Mela
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Frequency | Every 12 years |
| Location | Prayagraj, uttar Pradesh (among other sites) |
| Importance | Hindus believe bathing in sacred rivers cleanses sins and aids salvation |
| Record Attendance | Over 400 million (2023) |
| Past Tragedies | 1954: 800+ deaths; 2013: 36 deaths |
| Environmental Impact | Significant waste generation and river pollution |
the Kumbh Mela remains a profound expression of faith for millions, but this year’s tragedy underscores the challenges of managing such a massive gathering. As authorities work to address the aftermath,questions about safety and sustainability will likely dominate discussions about future events.
Tragedy Strikes Kumbh Mela as Stampede Claims Dozens of Lives
The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, turned tragic on Wednesday as a stampede near the riverbank claimed the lives of at least 38 people, with estimates ranging as high as 50.The incident occurred during the early hours of the morning when devotees attempted to cross barricades set up for the designated bathing area of the akharas (monastic sects of warrior sadhus).Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister yogi Adityanath addressed the media, stating, “Between 1am and 2am in the night, some devotees tried to cross over the barricades which were set up for the designated area for the akharas to take a bath. That caused some injuries to devotees who were immediately referred to hospital for treatment.” Though, local officials and doctors reported significantly higher casualties, with one paramilitary officer on the scene confirming, “There were multiple stampedes. There were at least 200 injured and I’d say around 50 dead. I saw them with my own eyes.”
The chaos unfolded as thousands of devotees gathered to take a holy dip in the Ganges River, a central ritual of the Kumbh Mela. Shoes and clothes were left scattered across the riverbank,a grim reminder of the desperation that ensued. Injured and deceased individuals were initially brought to makeshift tent hospitals before being transferred to a hospital in Prayagraj.
Narayan Singh Lodhi, a 50-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, shared his heartbreaking story: “We were very close to the river and there was a big push. People from opposite directions started going towards each other.” His sister-in-law, Hukam Bhai Lodhi, was among those who lost their lives. She leaves behind three children, including her daughter who was with her during the incident.
In response to the tragedy, the akharas postponed their scheduled holy dip, which was set to begin at 4am. The Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of pilgrims from across India and beyond, is a centuries-old tradition that symbolizes the pursuit of spiritual cleansing. However, the sheer scale of the event often poses significant logistical challenges, raising concerns about crowd management and safety.
Key Details of the Kumbh Mela stampede
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Location | Riverbank near the Kumbh Mela site in Prayagraj |
| Time of Incident | Between 1am and 2am on Wednesday |
| Reported Death Toll | 15 to 50 (official estimates vary) |
| Injured | At least 200 |
| Cause | Devotees crossing barricades, leading to a crowd crush |
| Response | Injured taken to makeshift hospitals; bodies transferred to Prayagraj |
The incident has sparked renewed discussions about the need for improved safety measures at large-scale religious events. As authorities continue to investigate, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring such tragedies are prevented in the future.
For more information on the Kumbh Mela and its significance, visit this detailed guide.Tragedy strikes as Deadly Crowd Crush Claims Lives at Religious Gathering
In a heart-wrenching incident that has left families devastated, a deadly crowd crush during a religious gathering has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and desperation as people were trampled in the stampede, with many still searching for missing loved ones.
Lodhi, one of the survivors, recounted the harrowing moments: “I saw people falling to the ground and shouting, and people started treading on each other. I tried to rescue as many people as possible but I could only get hold of my wife and another woman. I dragged them out. I saw around 20 bodies who were clearly dead on the floor who had been crushed and others were lying there injured crying out for help.”
The tragedy unfolded near a riverbank, where devotees had gathered for a ritual bath. Saroj Bhagri, 60, from Madhya Pradesh, was among those caught in the chaos.She was searching for her eight-year-old grandson, Chahat Bhagri, who went missing during the crush. “We arrived yesterday night and went for a bathe in the river late in the night. We were sitting near the river afterwards having some food. Suddenly people started pushing and falling over us and trampling us,” she said. “I got up and I was holding his hands but then I was pushed and it got wrenched from me when there was a huge crush. When I got up I couldn’t see him and people were running and screaming. he is only a little boy.”
The missing persons booths were filled with frantic families desperately seeking information about their loved ones. Manoj Kumar Paswan,45,from Uttar Pradesh,was searching for his 65-year-old aunt,Chanara Prajapat,who went missing after they went to the river in the early hours. “There was a commotion and people started pushing,” he said, his voice trembling with worry.
Photographs from the scene captured the aftermath of the tragedy,showing devotees being stopped by policemen and the riverbank littered with personal belongings. The images, taken by David Levene for The Guardian and Adnan Abidi for Reuters, provide a stark reminder of the scale of the disaster.
Key Details of the Tragedy
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Location | Riverbank during a religious gathering |
| Casualties | At least 20 confirmed dead,many injured |
| Missing Persons | Several,including an 8-year-old boy and a 65-year-old woman |
| Eyewitness Accounts | Descriptions of chaos,trampling,and desperate rescue attempts |
| Photographs | Captured by David Levene (The guardian) and Adnan Abidi (Reuters) |
As authorities work to manage the aftermath,questions are being raised about crowd control measures at such large gatherings. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of overcrowding and the need for better safety protocols.
For those affected, the search for answers—and loved ones—continues. Our thoughts are with the families during this unimaginably challenging time.
If you or someone you know was affected by this tragedy, please reach out to local authorities or support services for assistance.Tragedy Strikes at Kumbh Mela: Crowd Crush Leaves Devotees in Despair
The Kumbh Mela, frequently enough hailed as the “festival of festivals” in the Hindu religious calendar, turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak early Wednesday morning. A devastating crowd crush left dozens injured and families searching for missing loved ones.
“There was a sudden push that was so forceful that I lost the hand of my aunt,” recounted one devotee,her voice trembling with emotion. “I somehow managed to grab my mother, and we dragged ourselves out.” The chaos unfolded as thousands of pilgrims gathered to bathe in the sacred river, a ritual believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual renewal.
The aftermath was harrowing. “I went back to look for my aunt, but I couldn’t see her anywhere,” the devotee continued. “It was a very painful and scary experience. People around were crying and wailing. There were over a dozen people lying on the floor, including children, and people were just trampling over them.”
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a vibrant gathering of sadhus (holy men), ascetics, pilgrims, and tourists. This year’s event,however,held even greater significance as it marked the Maha or grand Kumbh Mela,which occurs only once every 144 years.The celestial alignment of the sun, moon, Jupiter, and Saturn added to the spiritual fervor, drawing millions to the banks of the river.
Yet, the sheer scale of the gathering proved overwhelming. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the crowd surged, leaving many trapped and injured. Hindu devotees were seen searching for missing loved ones in the early hours of Wednesday, their faces etched with despair.
| Key Details |
|——————|
| Event | Kumbh Mela 2025 |
| Significance | Maha Kumbh Mela (once every 144 years) |
| Incident | Crowd crush during morning ritual |
| Impact | Dozens injured, families separated |
The tragedy has cast a shadow over what is meant to be a joyous and spiritually uplifting event. As authorities work to manage the aftermath,questions about crowd control and safety measures at such large-scale gatherings are likely to arise.
For now, the focus remains on the families affected by this heartbreaking incident. The Kumbh Mela, a celebration of faith and devotion, has become a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the face of overwhelming crowds.
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