In northern India, a stampede during the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage resulted in fatalities and injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that in the crowded conditions, people were trampled and crushed.
Approximately 100 million Hindus have gathered in the city of Prayagraj for the pilgrimage, heading towards Sangam, where the sacred rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati converge. Pilgrims assemble there to perform ritual bathing, a key part of the pilgrimage.
Witnesses stated that people sleeping on the riverbanks were trampled by others coming out of the water, and a rush of people entering the water caused the stampede. The bathing has been temporarily suspended.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear. The BBC reported that footage shows emergency workers carrying away bodies on stretchers.
A correspondent on site noted that people are still making their way to Sangam. The Kumbh Mela occurs every twelve years and is regarded as one of the largest gatherings globally.
Hindus believe that bathing in the holy waters absolves them of their sins. The festival spans six weeks, drawing an estimated 400 million people to northern India.
Source: NOS