Horror as at least 15 people crushed to death in stampede at festival in India after thousands surged towards river
A significant crowd stampede during an Indian event has claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals.
At the Kumbh Mela, thousands of people surged towards a river, causing a stampede that injured many more.
During the six-week Hindu celebration, tens of millions were anticipated to congregate on Wednesday to partake in a sacred dip.
But where barricades had been erected to control crowds, a stampede broke out between 1 and 2 in the morning.
While spectators sat on the ground in sobs, shocking video and pictures showed emergency personnel removing victims on stretchers.
Others trampled over blankets, shoes, backpacks, and clothing that had been left by people attempting to flee the crowd.
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At Indian religious gatherings, such as the Kumbh Mela, which already had a dismal reputation, deadly crowd crushes are a common occurrence.
Witnesses reported that devotees fell on one another due to a massive push that occurred close to the confluence of three sacred rivers, where a dip is most revered.
“We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side,” said Vijay Kumar, who traveled from the eastern city of Patna to attend the festival.
“People began to tumble after a strong push from behind.
“There were people lying all around, I don’t know if they were dead or alive.”
When she and her mother fell, people “kept stepping” on them, according to a woman who was among the crowd but would not identify themselves to news agency ANI.
She stated, “My mother has passed away, but I am safe.”
Opposition parties accused “VIP culture” and “mismanagement” for the stampede.
“VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees,” stated Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party.
“Devotees who have lost their loved ones” received condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although he did not say how many people had died.
He continued: “The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way.”
In contrast to the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which drew 1.8 million people last year, the Hindu festival is the largest gathering of people in the world, drawing some 400 million people throughout its six weeks.
Since the 2025 festival began two weeks ago, around 200 million people have attended as of Tuesday.
Devout Hindus hold that bathing at the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the fabled, invisible Saraswati is a way to atone for sins.
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They also think that liberation from the cycle of life and death is brought about during the Kumbh.
Officials reported that by 10am on Wednesday, almost 36 million people had taken a holy bath.