Officials believe the stampede was triggered by overcrowding near the confluence of the three rivers as the site closed for the day, leading to a deadly crush that left dozens of pilgrims suffocated.
The crowd descended into chaos, with dozens shoving and climbing over each other in a desperate attempt to breathe. Some witnesses claim the stampede began when devotees attempted to jump over barricades, pushing others forward in an already packed area.
Several injured in the stampede were rushed to Prayagraj’s SRN Hospital on Tuesday, many suffering from broken bones and respiratory issues.
Bodies of those killed were transported to the local morgue within the first twelve hours of the tragedy, before officials contacted families to retrieve their late loved ones.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Jagwanti Devi, 40, a relative of a stampede victim, cries as she sits next to the victim’s body inside an ambulance, outside a hospital mortuary, following a stampede that occurred before the second “Shahi Snan” (royal bath), at the “Maha Kumbh Mela” or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
According to Reuters, the festival had already hosted nearly 200 million visitors by Tuesday, a staggering number only a third of the way through its six-week duration.
The Maha Kumbh Mela festival is a sacred Hindu celebration that occurs every 12 years, symbolizing the legendary 12-day war between demons and gods over a pitcher containing the elixir of immortality.
Hundreds of millions of Hindus and pilgrims gather for the event in Prayagraj, with more than 400 million visitors expected by the festival’s conclusion on February 26.
Saroja and Kanchan Kopde react outside a hospital mortuary following a stampede that occurred before the second “Shahi Snan” (royal bath), at the “Maha Kumbh Mela” or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Twelve years ago, a similar catastrophe occurred, with 36 pilgrims dying from heart attacks and suffocation during a stampede.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to those affected by the tragedy, stating that local officials are assisting in “every possible way,” according to Reuters.
This serves as a crucial reminder for Prayagraj’s officials to reassess the city’s capacity and improve safety measures to protect pilgrims throughout their sacred journey.