More than seven people lost their lives, and around 10 others were injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday, an official confirmed, as tens of millions gathered for a holy dip on the most sacred day of the six-week Hindu festival.
Drone footage captured millions of devotees standing shoulder to shoulder as they arrived in the pre-dawn hours at the temporary township in Prayagraj, preparing to take a ritual bath in the river.
Following the stampede, video and photographs showed bodies being carried away on stretchers while distressed individuals sat on the ground crying. Others navigated through a carpet of discarded belongings left behind in the chaos as people attempted to flee.
A Reuters witness reported seeing multiple dead bodies while following dozens of ambulances rushing toward the riverbank where the tragedy took place.
“More than seven people have died in the stampede, and around 10 others are injured,” said an official who requested anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Officials initially described a stampede that occurred around 1 a.m. local time (1930 GMT) as “not serious,” though the cause remained unclear.
However, eyewitnesses reported that as devotees tried to escape the first stampede, they were caught in another at an exit. Unable to leave, they turned back toward the pontoon bridges, only to find them closed by authorities.
“I saw many people falling and getting trampled… many children and women were lost, crying for help,” said Ravin, a devotee from Mumbai.
A Rapid Action Force (RAF) unit was deployed to manage the situation and assist in rescue efforts, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for “immediate support measures,” according to news agency ANI, in which Reuters holds a minority stake.
Adityanath urged devotees to take their ritual bath at the nearest riverbank rather than attempting to reach the confluence where the festival is being held.
“Everyone should follow the administration’s instructions and cooperate with arrangements. People are bathing peacefully at all the ghats (riverbanks) of Sangam (the confluence of the rivers),” he posted on X.
Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers cleanses them of their sins and grants salvation from the cycle of birth and death.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has already drawn massive daily crowds, with nearly 148 million attendees since it began two weeks ago.
Among the prominent visitors were Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, and celebrities such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin and actress Dakota Johnson, who, according to local media, arrived in Prayagraj on Tuesday.
Modi is also expected to visit the festival next month.
Authorities had anticipated a record turnout of 100 million people on Wednesday, as this year’s sacred dip coincided with a rare celestial alignment occurring after 144 years.
Following the tragedy, the ‘royal bath’ was canceled.
“All our saints and seers were prepared for the ‘snan’ (bath) when we were informed of this incident. That is why we have decided to call off our ‘snan,’” said ascetic Ravindra Puri.
Authorities had implemented various measures to manage the enormous crowds, including heightened security, additional medical personnel, and special trains and buses. AI software was also deployed to regulate the flow of people.
A similar stampede occurred during the last Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013, claiming at least 36 lives, most of them women.
