India Investigates Deadly Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela 🙏
In a tragic turn of events, a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival in Prayagraj has led to the loss of dozens of lives, with reports indicating nearly 40 devotees killed and 90 injured. As millions gathered for a \"holy dip\" in the sacred rivers, the sheer volume of people led to chaotic scenes. Witnesses described a massive push towards the riverbanks, causing many to fall and suffocate amidst the crowd. 😢
Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial probe into the incident: \"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done… The commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a time limit,\" he stated.
The festival, which has seen nearly 280 million attendees since it began two weeks ago, is considered the world's largest human gathering. On Wednesday alone, over 76 million people took a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. 🌊
With the Maha Kumbh Mela held every 12 years, officials expect even larger crowds in 2025, estimating around 400 million devotees. The immense scale dwarfs other global pilgrimages; for comparison, the Haj in Saudi Arabia drew 1.8 million people last year. 🕌
Opposition leaders have criticized the government's handling of the event, pointing to mismanagement and poor crowd control. Local media echoed these sentiments, urging for better planning and the use of modern technology to prevent future tragedies. 🚨
As the festival continues, with three more 'royal dips' scheduled, there's a pressing need to ensure safety measures are heightened. The spirit of devotion remains strong, but the loss has cast a somber shadow over the celebrations. Let's hope for safer gatherings ahead. 🙏✨
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
