At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede during India’s Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival, officials confirmed late Wednesday, January 29th.
The chaos erupted early Tuesday as millions of Hindu pilgrims rushed to bathe at the confluence of three rivers in Prayagraj, a site considered sacred in Hinduism. Witnesses reported a sudden surge in the crowd, leading to a deadly crush near a barricade set up for a procession of religious leaders.
Ambulances struggled to navigate through the massive gathering as emergency teams worked to rescue the injured. Authorities transported dozens of victims to nearby hospitals, while police and paramedics tried to restore order.
Delayed response raises concerns
Despite the disaster’s scale, officials withheld an official death toll for nearly 15 hours and continued to issue regular updates on the number of successful ritual baths performed at the festival.
Analysts suggested the delay was an attempt to minimize the impact of the tragedy at an event closely tied to political figures. The Maha Kumbh Mela carries significant religious and political weight in India, and authorities may have sought to control the narrative.
The lack of immediate information left families searching for loved ones in distress. Many ran from hospital to morgue, seeking answers.
#Horrific scenes
The death toll from the stampede at the Hindu festival Maha Kumbh has reached 100.#Mahakumbh #MahakumbhStampede pic.twitter.com/sX5jSyHyz3
— Kashmir English (@KashmirEng) January 29, 2025
Among them was Shiv Shankar Singh, 55, a retired army officer. He and his wife had bathed in the river shortly after midnight when the stampede began.
“Everybody was pushing everybody else. My wife fell down,” Mr. Singh said. “I grabbed a pole and stood on the ground. I saved myself, but I don’t know what happened to her.”
Singh spent the entire day walking between hospitals, hoping to find her. With vehicles restricted for miles, his search was slow and painful.
World’s Largest Religious festival turns tragic
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is one of Hinduism’s most significant events. This year’s gathering was considered particularly rare due to its unique celestial alignment, making it a once-in-a-century occasion. Officials had expected more than 400 million pilgrims and visitors to attend the 45-day festival.
Despite lessons from past stampedes, safety preparations fell short. Authorities deployed thousands of AI-powered cameras to monitor the crowd, but they failed to prevent the deadly rush.
As rituals resumed Wednesday morning, helicopters showered rose petals on religious leaders leading the ceremonial dip. However, the tragedy cast a shadow over the event, raising questions about crowd control and crisis management.
Leadership in question after deadly stampede
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and a key political figure, positioned himself as the festival’s chief organizer. Analysts viewed the event as an opportunity for him to boost his national profile, particularly as a potential successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adityanath emphasized faith and technology in managing the event; however, the delayed response to the stampede has drawn criticism. Opposition leaders have called for accountability, while families of victims demand answers.
As the festival continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the millions still arriving. Officials have promised stricter crowd control measures, but for many, the tragedy has already left an irreversible mark.
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