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Early Wednesday morning, tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 12 pilgrims, according to eyewitnesses and hospital sources. The event, celebrated as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, saw millions converge at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite its spiritual significance, the event took a grim turn amidst overcrowding and chaos.
The incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when worshippers attempted to bypass police barricades to reach Sangam Nose, a revered bathing point. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed that several pilgrims were seriously injured, although he refrained from specifying casualty numbers. "The situation is under control," he assured, appealing to devotees to bathe at their nearest riverbanks instead of pushing toward the main site.
This year's Kumbh Mela, dubbed the "Maha Kumbh" due to celestial alignments, was expected to draw 100 million visitors on the auspicious bathing day alone. Despite precautions, including sandbag platforms and pontoon bridges, the sheer volume of pilgrims overwhelmed the temporary city erected by authorities. By 8 a.m. Wednesday, nearly 28 million people had already completed the holy dip, officials reported.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for mismanagement, accusing them of prioritizing VIP movements over the safety of ordinary devotees. "Half-baked arrangements and administrative lapses led to this tragedy," Gandhi remarked on social media. Influential religious leader Premanand Puri echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the management of the event should have been handed over to the Indian army.
Despite past tragedies, including a 2013 stampede that left 42 dead, concerns over crowd control persist. Authorities had employed advanced technology to monitor crowd movements this year, but logistical challenges remained. Vijay Vishwas Pant, a senior government official, described crowd flow management as "dynamic and challenging," emphasizing the need for continuous movement to prevent congestion.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people trampled over each other while others fled in panic. Clothes, shoes, and belongings were strewn across the riverbanks. Rescue operations were swift, with ambulances lined up to transport injured pilgrims to nearby hospitals.
