A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, the world's largest religious gathering in India, has resulted in the loss of at least 15 lives and left many more injured.
According to a doctor at the festival site in Prayagraj, speaking anonymously to AFP, \"At least 15 people have died for now. Others are being treated.\" The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, adding to the festival's grim history of deadly crowd crushes.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week-long event, is a significant milestone on the Hindu religious calendar, attracting millions of devotees for a sacred day of ritual bathing. This year, expectations were high, with unprecedented numbers anticipated to participate.
Rescue teams have been tirelessly working to assist the victims, navigating through areas cluttered with discarded clothes, shoes, and other belongings. Police officers have been seen carrying stretchers with victims draped in thick blankets, while dozens of relatives anxiously await news outside a large tent serving as a makeshift hospital approximately one kilometer from the accident site.
Despite the awe-inspiring scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the recent tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges in managing such vast gatherings, raising concerns about safety measures and emergency preparedness at future events.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
