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2mo ago

Tragedies Overshadow Record-Breaking Maha Kumbh Festival in India

The world's largest religious gathering sees over 500 million attendees, but multiple deadly incidents highlight safety concerns.

An official said that four pilgrims died on the spot while six others were taken to a hospital.
Devotees gather to take a dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers with the mythical invisible Saraswati river, to mark Maghi Purnima, one of the auspicious days during the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India, February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ritesh Shukla/File Photo
(HT)
Devotees during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday.

Overview

  • At least 18 people died in a stampede at New Delhi railway station as crowds rushed for trains to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj.
  • A car-bus collision on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur highway killed 10 devotees and injured 19, with officials citing driver fatigue as the likely cause.
  • The festival has drawn over 500 million participants to the Triveni Sangam, surpassing the population of most countries, according to Uttar Pradesh authorities.
  • Officials have introduced new traffic and bathing guidelines to manage the overwhelming crowds and improve safety measures.
  • Despite the record turnout, the Maha Kumbh has faced criticism for inadequate crowd control, with over 30 deaths reported in a January stampede and other fatal accidents involving pilgrims.