Tragic Stampede at Kumbh Mela Leaves Many Dead and Injured
A devastating stampede occurred at the Kumbh Mela, an immense Hindu religious festival in India, with reports indicating at least 15 fatalities and dozens injured. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes of chaos as barriers broke and crowds surged uncontrollably. This tragedy unfolded during the auspicious Mauni Amavasya, a day when millions gather for ritual bathing at the confluence of sacred rivers. Authorities, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Modi, have been closely monitoring the situation, calling for assistance and assuring the public of efforts to maintain order. The incident has reignited discussions about crowd safety at major religious events, highlighting the historical challenges posed by such massive gatherings.
BBC.com, The New York Times, CNN, Reuters India, NDTV, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, The Times of India, The Guardian, ABC News