At least seven people lost their lives, and around 10 others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday. The incident occurred as tens of millions of devotees gathered for a holy dip on what is considered the most auspicious day of the six-week-long Hindu festival.
The stampede took place between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. (1930-2030 GMT Tuesday) near the arena of the ascetics, where barricades had been installed to control the crowds. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed the incident and stated that the state administration was actively working to assist the victims. Despite the tragedy, he assured that the situation was under control, though the crowd remained immense.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a post on X, mourning the loss of lives and assuring that local authorities were providing all possible support to those affected. However, he did not specify the exact number of casualties.
A senior state official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reported that more than seven people had died, and about 10 others sustained injuries. Videos and photographs from the aftermath depicted a heartbreaking scene, with bodies being carried away on stretchers, while distressed individuals sat on the ground weeping. Belongings such as clothes, shoes, backpacks, and blankets were scattered across the area as people fled the chaotic rush.
A Reuters witness described seeing multiple dead bodies as ambulances rushed toward the riverbank, where the stampede occurred. Eyewitnesses recounted a massive push near the confluence of the three holy rivers—considered a particularly sacred site—which caused people to fall on top of one another.
“We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side. The push from behind was very powerful… people started falling,” said Vijay Kumar, a devotee from Patna who had traveled for the festival. “There were people lying all around. I don’t know if they were dead or alive.”
A woman, who declined to share her name, told news agency that she and her mother were knocked down in the chaos. “People kept stepping on us,” she said, recalling the horrifying experience.
Following the stampede, Chief Minister Adityanath urged attendees to avoid the affected area and cooperate with authorities to prevent further incidents. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the grand religious event, which attracts millions of pilgrims from across India and beyond.
