Prayagraj, India – Jan 29,(V7N) — A deadly stampede at the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, has claimed at least 15 lives and left many more injured, according to a doctor at the festival site who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, a day when millions of Hindu devotees had gathered for ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where belongings such as clothes and shoes were strewn across the ground, highlighting the chaos that unfolded. Police officers were seen carrying bodies wrapped in blankets, while distressed relatives waited outside a makeshift hospital for updates on their loved ones.

Deadly Tradition of Stampedes

Stampedes have been a recurring and tragic feature of large religious gatherings in India, and the Kumbh Mela has a history of deadly crowd crushes. Officials say Wednesday’s stampede was triggered when crowd control barriers collapsed, leading to a surge of people pushing toward the riverbanks.

“Suddenly, the crowd started pushing, and many people were crushed,” said Malti Pandey, a 42-year-old pilgrim who was on his way to the river.

The festival, which spans six weeks and is expected to attract up to 400 million pilgrims by its conclusion on February 26, has long been a logistical challenge for authorities. Organizers have implemented extensive security measures, including surveillance cameras, drones, and crowd monitoring systems, yet past tragedies indicate that safety remains a significant concern.

Fear and Chaos at the Sacred Site

In response to the stampede, officials took to loudspeakers to urge devotees to stay away from the main bathing site. “We humbly request all devotees not to come to the main bathing spot,” a festival staffer announced via megaphone.

Some pilgrims, shaken by the incident, decided to leave early. “My family got scared, so we’re leaving,” said attendee Sanjay Nishad.

A History of Fatal Incidents

The Kumbh Mela, rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizes the battle between gods and demons over a pitcher of nectar granting immortality. However, the festival has also been marred by past tragedies. In 1954, over 400 people were trampled or drowned in a single day, marking one of the deadliest stampedes in history. More recently, in 2013, 36 people were killed in a similar incident in Prayagraj.

With millions still expected to attend in the coming weeks, authorities are under immense pressure to prevent further disasters while ensuring the safety of worshippers at one of Hinduism’s most sacred events.

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