A stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, injured dozens of pilgrims seeking a holy bath in the Ganges River. Authorities are managing the situation and the injured are receiving medical attention.
A stampede broke out early Wednesday at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, injuring dozens of Hindu pilgrims who had rushed to take a holy bath in the Ganges River. Local media reported the incident, which saw distressed families searching for missing relatives outside a makeshift hospital, while rescuers tended to the injured and police struggled to control the surging crowds. Belongings like clothes, blankets, and backpacks were scattered around the stampede site.
The exact trigger for the panic and the number of injured remained unclear. Wednesday was a sacred day during the six-week festival, anticipated to draw a record 100 million devotees to the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers for a ritual bath. Thousands of ash-smeared Hindu ascetics were expected to participate in massive processions towards the confluence for their holy dip. The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, began on January 13th and is the world's largest religious gathering. Authorities anticipate a total of over 400 million visitors to the pilgrimage site. To accommodate the massive influx, authorities erected a sprawling tent city on the riverbanks, equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets, roads, electricity, water, communication towers, and 11 hospitals. Approximately 50,000 security personnel are deployed within the city to maintain order and manage the crowds.Stampedes are a recurring issue during Indian religious festivals, where densely packed crowds gather in confined spaces. In 2013, a stampede at a train station in Prayagraj during the festival claimed the lives of at least 40 pilgrims.
MAHA KUMBH STAMPEDE INDIA RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL PILGRIMAGE
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dozens hurt in stampede at Maha Kumbh festival in northern IndiaAn ambulance moves in the middle of a crowd of Hindu devotees gathered for a holy dip by the banks of the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, on Mauni Amavasya' or new moon day during the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Read more »
Stampede Injuries Dozens at Maha Kumbh Festival in IndiaA stampede during the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, injured dozens of Hindu pilgrims who were trying to take a holy bath in the Ganges River. The incident occurred on a sacred day during the six-week religious gathering, which is expected to draw a record 100 million devotees. Authorities are working to manage the crowds and provide medical assistance.
Read more »
Woman Injured in Stampede at Maha Kumbh FestivalA woman was injured during a stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, and was helped into an ambulance by the banks of the Sangam.
Read more »
Millions Take Holy Dip at India’s Maha Kumbh MelaNearly 15 million Hindus flocked to Prayagraj for the first day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering.
Read more »
Deadly Stampede at India's Kumbh Mela Kills SeveralA stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of India's largest religious gatherings, has resulted in multiple deaths. Millions of devotees gathered for the holy dip on the festival's most significant day, but chaos erupted as crowds surged, causing several to be trampled. The incident highlights the challenges of managing such massive crowds during religious events.
Read more »
Fire burns through multiple tents at Maha Kumbh festival but causes no injuriesThe Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, started last Monday and is the world’s largest religious gathering
Read more »