🚨 Tragedy struck at the iconic Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India as a massive stampede claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. With millions gathering for a 'holy dip' in the sacred river waters, the world's largest human congregation turned somber.
Official reports confirm that 30 people were killed and 90 injured, but sources suggest the death toll could be nearly 40. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where a sudden surge in the crowd led to people falling over each other, while some collapsed due to suffocation as routes to the river became clogged.
In response, 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. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission,\" he stated.
The festival, held every 12 years, saw more than 76 million pilgrims taking a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj on Wednesday alone! 🌊 That's like the entire population of a country taking a plunge on the same day!
Devotees believe that bathing in these sacred waters absolves them of sins and brings salvation. But amidst the spiritual fervor, the tragedy has raised serious concerns about crowd management. Opposition leaders blamed mismanagement for the incident and called for improved safety measures.
Local media echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better planning and use of technology to prevent such incidents, especially with three more 'royal dips' scheduled in the coming weeks.
While the Maha Kumbh Mela continues to be a beacon of faith for millions, this unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in large gatherings. Let's hope for better measures to ensure that devotees can practice their faith without fear. 🙏
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
