In a tragic turn of events, a stampede at India's Maha Kumbh Mela festival on Wednesday claimed the lives of dozens of devotees and left many more injured. 😢
The festival, which is the world's largest gathering of humanity, saw over 76 million people taking a \"holy dip\" at the confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers in a single day! 🌊🙏
Witnesses described chaos as crowds surged towards the rivers, causing people to fall and suffocate amidst the crush. Some blamed route closures for the standstill that led to the tragedy.
In response, Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial probe into the incident, promising a thorough investigation. 🕵️♂️
\"We've formed a three-member judicial commission to look into the matter and submit a report within a set timeframe,\" he stated.
Opposition leaders and local media are calling for better crowd management to prevent future tragedies, especially with three more 'royal dips' scheduled before the festival ends.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is expected to draw a staggering 400 million devotees in 2025! 😲 For comparison, last year's Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia drew 1.8 million people.
Devout Hindus believe that bathing at this sacred spot absolves them of sins and frees them from the cycle of birth and death. The festival attracts people from all walks of life, including federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
As the nation mourns, there's a clear message: better planning and safety measures are essential to ensure devotees can practice their faith without fear.
Our hearts go out to all affected by this tragedy. ❤️ Let's hope for safer celebrations in the future!
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
