India is reeling after a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious festivals, left dozens dead and many more injured. 🇮🇳💔
On Wednesday, millions of devotees gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for a \"holy dip\" in the sacred waters where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet—a ritual believed to cleanse sins and bring salvation. But amidst the spiritual fervor, chaos erupted, leading to a devastating crush.
Witnesses described a massive push toward the rivers, causing people to fall and get trampled. Others blamed the closure of routes to the water, which led to suffocating crowds. Authorities reported at least 30 fatalities and 90 injuries, though some sources suggest the death toll could be near 40.
In response, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a probe into the incident. \"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission,\" he told reporters.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a massive event that attracts millions. On Wednesday alone, over 76 million people participated in the holy dip! 😲 The festival, which started two weeks ago, has already seen nearly 280 million attendees, including notable figures like federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
With expectations of drawing some 400 million devotees in 2025, questions about crowd management and safety are front and center. Opposition leaders are criticizing the handling of the event, urging for better arrangements to prevent such tragedies.
Local media echoed these concerns. The Hindustan Times wrote, \"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh… more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed—using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
As the festival continues, with three more 'royal dips'—the most sacred bathing days—scheduled, there's a pressing need to ensure the safety of all participants. Let's hope measures are put in place to prevent another such heartbreaking incident. 🙏🏽
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
