At least 30 people were killed and numerous others were injured when millions of Hindu pilgrims gathered to bathe in sacred river waters on what is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar during the Maha Kumbh Mela, a huge celebration in the Indian city of Prayagraj, early Wednesday.
Government officials and witnesses said thousands of people sitting or sleeping on the banks of the rivers were trampled, safety barriers were broken, and fences were pulled down as pilgrims hurried to the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, which Hindus consider sacred. The commotion was exacerbated by others attempting to flee after taking a bath.
Emergency services were transporting individuals on stretchers and into ambulances while they lay on the ground with their faces and bodies covered.
Over half a day after the stampede, which took place between 1 and 2 a.m. local time, government officials released the number of casualties.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Wednesday night that he would launch a judicial investigation to determine how accidents like these could happen in spite of strict safety measures.
Mr. Adityanath offered his condolences, stating that the state government would provide roughly $29,000 per victim to the relatives of the deceased.
Hospitals were treating about thirty injured pilgrims, according to senior police official Vaibhav Krishna. The others went with relatives. At a press conference, Mr. Krishna stated that 25 of the deceased had been identified.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X to offer his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and to wish the injured a quick recovery. He wrote, “The accident in Maha Kumbh is very sad”.
