A deadly stampede erupted during the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings in India, claiming at least 15 lives and injuring dozens more early Wednesday. 🌍💔 Witnesses described chaotic scenes as rescue teams scrambled through crowds near Prayagraj, where pilgrims had gathered for a sacred ritual bathing event.
⚠️ "At least 15 people have died for now. Others are being treated," said an anonymous doctor at the festival's makeshift hospital, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. The incident—marked by discarded shoes, torn clothing, and stretchers carrying blanket-draped victims—underscores recurring safety challenges at mass events in India.
📉 Deadly crowd crushes have plagued Indian religious festivals for decades, and the Kumbh Mela, which draws millions over six weeks, is no exception. This year's gathering saw even larger crowds for a key bathing ritual believed to cleanse sins in the Ganges River.
🚑 Rescue teams worked alongside devotees to evacuate the injured, while anxious families waited outside medical tents for updates. The tragedy has reignited debates about crowd management at cultural mega-events.
🙏 As authorities investigate, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between faith and safety. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
