During the Kumbh Mela festival in India, a severe crowd crush led to fears of multiple fatalities as millions gathered for ceremonial bathing. The crush occurred early Wednesday when devotees surged towards the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, resulting in people trampling one another. Reports indicate that chaos ensued as the crowd swelled beyond expected limits. Officials estimate over 400 million attendees, with the government heavily promoting the event. Despite efforts to control the crowds, tragic incidents highlighted the hazards of large gatherings without adequate management.
People were crushed in the early hours of Wednesday as tens of millions of people flocked to immerse themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, on one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu festival.
According to accounts by devotees, one of the worst crushes occurred after large numbers went down to the river to bathe, while others were sleeping on the floor around the congested riverbank.
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