A 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.
A stampede injured dozens of people early Wednesday as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in northern India, local media reported. Distressed families lined up outside a makeshift hospital inquiring about their missing relatives, rescuers were helping the injured and police tried to manage the crowds. People’s belongings like clothes, blankets and backpacks were strewn around the scene of the stampede.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the panic or how many people had been hurt. Wednesday was a sacred day during the six-week festival, and authorities were expecting a record 100 million devotees to engage in a ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The ritualistic bathing’s main draw are thousands of ash-smeared Hindu ascetics who arrive in massive processions towards the confluence to take a holy dip in the waters. The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, started on January 13 and is the world’s largest religious gathering. Authorities expect more than 400 million people to throng the pilgrimage site in total. Authorities built a sprawling tent city on the riverbanks to accommodate visitors. It has 3,000 kitchens and 150,000 toilets, plus roads, electricity and water, communication towers and 11 hospitals. About 50,000 security personnel are stationed in the city to maintain law and order and manage crowds. Stampedes are relatively common around Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas. In 2013, at least 40 pilgrims who were taking part in the festival were killed in a stampede at a train station in Prayagraj
MAHAKUMBH FESTIVAL INDIA STAMPEDE RELIGIOUS GATHERING RIVER BATH
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 »
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 »
15 Million Hindus Take Holy Dip in Ganges at Maha Kumbh MelaMillions of Hindus flocked to the banks of the Ganges River in Prayagraj for the first day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
Read more »
CFL Unveils 2025 Schedule: Early Kickoffs, Strategic Scheduling, and the Stampede BowlThe Canadian Football League (CFL) has released its 2025 regular season schedule, highlighting key dates, strategic scheduling, and exciting matchups. The season begins in Regina on June 5th with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the Ottawa Redblacks. The league has implemented changes to improve fan experience, including earlier kickoffs and a focus on minimizing team fatigue.
Read more »