AT LEAST 15 people were killed and many others injured in a stampede at the Kumbh Mela, India’s largest religious gathering, early Wednesday. The incident occurred when a crowd surged beyond a police cordon, leading to people being trampled.
Stampedes are a frequent risk at large religious events in India, including the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years in Prayagraj and attracts tens of millions of devotees.
Pilgrims had gathered for a ritual bathing day when the crowd movement led to chaos. Some people who had been sitting or sleeping near the riverbanks told AFP they were caught in the rush.
"I was sitting near a barricade, and during the pushing and shoving, the entire crowd fell on top of me, trampling me as it moved forward," said 48-year-old pilgrim Renu Devi.
"When the crowd surged, elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came forward to help."
Rescue teams moved through the site, carrying victims past piles of clothes, shoes, and other belongings left behind. Police transported bodies on stretchers covered with thick blankets.
A doctor at a local hospital told AFP that "at least 15 people" had died, with dozens more injured. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media Read More….
Comments