At least 30 individuals lost their lives during a catastrophic crush at the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, northern India, this week, leaving families devastated as they cope with their loss. The deadly incident unfolded amidst the massive congregation, which is recognized as the largest religious gathering globally, attracting millions of pilgrims to partake in the sacred bathing ritual at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers.
Eyewitnesses attributed the chaos to poor crowd management from police and festival organizers, as a surge of devotees led to many being trampled while sleeping on the riverbank. The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Among the grieving families, Kaikeyi Devi, who traveled with her husband from Bihar, recounted the horrifying moment she witnessed him being trampled. "We started crying… 'Let him free! Let him be! We are here!' but he never came back," she expressed heart-wrenchingly outside a Prayagraj mortuary.
Other victims' relatives expressed deep frustration over the emergency response, with reports of delays in ambulances and the retrieval of bodies. Taposh Roy from Assam shared the agony of seeing his brother left unattended for an extended time due to a lack of medical assistance. "We pleaded with the police…I couldn't go with him," he lamented.
Deepak Hattarwat, who lost both his wife and daughter, revealed he learned of their deaths a day later, shattering any plans they had for future celebrations. Meanwhile, the search for missing loved ones continues, with Manoj Kumar Sahni still desperately looking for his father, reporting he has scoured hospitals and transport hubs in hopes of finding him.
Following the incident, authorities have intensified security measures and prohibited vehicles from entering the Kumbh Mela grounds until February 4. Expectations for Monday's auspicious bathing day are high, with the festival likely to attract even larger crowds.
