Stampede horror kills 15 people at world's largest religious festival as panic sparked
Stampede horror kills 15 people at world's largest religious festival as panic sparked
Share:
A horrifying stampede at the world's largest religious festival has resulted in the brutal deaths of at least 15 people tonight. The horror took place early this morning as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj city, northern India.
Distraught families were seen lining up outside a makeshift hospital, seeking information about their missing relatives, while rescuers aided the injured and police attempted to control the crowds. Personal belongings such as clothes, blankets, and backpacks were scattered around the scene of the stampede.
It remains unclear what sparked the panic or the exact number of casualties. While some local news outlets reported 10 fatalities, other sources suggest the death toll could be closer to 15 and may still rise. Wednesday was considered a sacred day during the six-week festival, with authorities anticipating a record 100 million devotees participating in a ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. The main attraction of these ritualistic baths are the thousands of ash-smeared Hindu ascetics who arrive in grand processions to take a holy dip in the waters.
Despite the tragic incident, millions of Hindu pilgrims continued to flock to the site, undeterred, even as police officials urged them via megaphones to stay away from the confluence. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has advised folks to steer clear of the confluence and opt for a holy dip at other riverbanks. On Twitter, without directly mentioning the recent stampede, Adityanath implored the public not to "pay attention to any rumours.".
