More than seven people lost their lives, and around 10 others were injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday. The tragic event happened as millions of devotees gathered for a holy dip on the most sacred day of the festival. An official confirmed the incident but did not want to be named.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, known as the world’s largest religious gathering, takes place once every 12 years. This year, officials expected a record crowd of around 100 million people due to a rare celestial event occurring after 144 years.

Massive crowds at the holy river

Drone footage showed millions of people walking shoulder to shoulder before dawn, heading toward the temporary city built along the confluence of three rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Devotees believe that taking a dip in these waters washes away sins and grants spiritual blessings.

However, in the early hours of Wednesday at around 1 a.m. local time (1930 GMT), panic broke out near the riverbank. Witnesses described a strong push from behind, causing people to fall over each other. “We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side. The push from behind was very powerful... people started falling,” said Vijay Kumar, who travelled from Patna to attend the event.

“There were people lying all around; I don't know if they were dead or alive,” he added.

A woman who did not reveal her name told ANI news agency that she and her mother also fell during the stampede. “People kept stepping on us. I am safe, but my mother has died,” she said.

Rescue and government response

Emergency teams, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were called in to handle the situation and help the injured. Several ambulances rushed toward the riverbank where the stampede occurred. A Reuters witness saw multiple bodies being taken away on stretchers while people sat crying on the ground. Many belongings, including clothes, shoes, and blankets, were left scattered as people attempted to escape the chaos.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and gave orders to ensure proper rescue efforts. According to ANI, Adityanath also urged devotees to take dips at other riverbanks to avoid overcrowding. “All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements,” he posted on X.

Even after the tragedy, the festival continued, and many devotees proceeded with their holy dip at other locations. Authorities briefly paused the 'royal bath' but allowed it to resume later.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of India’s main opposition party, Congress, blamed the disaster on poor management. He accused the ruling government of focusing on “self-promotion” rather than ensuring the safety of attendees.

Stampedes at religious gatherings are not uncommon in India. A similar incident happened in 2013 at the Kumbh Mela, where at least 36 people died.

Officials had taken several safety measures for this year's festival, including using AI software to manage crowds, increasing security forces, deploying medical staff, and arranging extra trains and buses. However, the unfortunate tragedy still occurred, raising concerns over handling such large gatherings in the future.