In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a massive stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India has led to the tragic loss of dozens of lives. As millions of devotees gathered on Wednesday for a sacred \"holy dip\" in the confluence of three sacred rivers, the overwhelming crowd turned deadly.
Authorities reported that 30 people were killed in the chaos, with 90 more injured. However, sources suggest that the death toll may be closer to 40. Witnesses described a sudden surge towards the riverbanks, causing people to stumble and fall over one another. Some blamed the closure of certain routes, which led to intense crowding and suffocation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh announced a judicial inquiry 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, promising a timely report to prevent future tragedies.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the world's largest human gathering. On Wednesday alone, over 76 million people took the ceremonial dip in the sacred waters of Prayagraj. Since the festival began two weeks ago, nearly 280 million people have participated, including notable figures like federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
Devout Hindus believe that bathing at the junction of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers cleanses them of sins and frees them from the cycle of rebirth. The festival is expected to draw some 400 million devotees by 2025, making crowd management a critical concern.
Opposition leaders have criticized the event's organization, urging improvements to prevent such disasters. Local media echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better planning and modern technology to handle the enormous crowds.
\"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh,\" stated an editorial in the Hindustan Times. \"There is no doubt that more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed.\"
With three more 'royal dips' scheduled in the coming weeks before the festival concludes, authorities face mounting pressure to enhance safety measures. These particular days are considered especially auspicious, drawing even larger numbers of devotees seeking spiritual solace.
Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. 💔 As the festival continues, let's hope for safer gatherings and moments of peace for all participants.
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
