On January 29, 2025, a tragic crowd crush occurred during the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. The incident took place around 4:00 AM IST as a massive number of devotees surged forward to perform the ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, considered the holiest site for this practice.
Despite the implementation of advanced crowd management technologies, including artificial intelligence systems designed to monitor and control crowd densities, the overwhelming influx of pilgrims led to the collapse of security barriers, triggering panic and subsequent stampedes. Authorities had anticipated a record attendance of approximately 100 million people for this year’s festival, with expectations of up to 400 million by its conclusion on February 26.
In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for immediate measures to manage the situation, and the Uttar Pradesh government is expected to release an official statement. Religious leaders are urging pilgrims to avoid the main bathing site and seek alternative locations to prevent further incidents.
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracting millions of devotees seeking spiritual cleansing. This tragedy adds to a history of similar incidents at the festival, including a deadly stampede in 2013 that resulted in 36 fatalities.
Authorities are currently conducting rescue operations and providing medical assistance to the injured. The incident has led to chaos and desperation as attendees search for missing loved ones. Further details are awaited as the situation develops.