Name: Deadly crowd crush occurs at world’s largest religious festival
Uploaded: 2025-01-29T14:36:15.244Z
Duration: 1 min 48 s
Description: Multiple people died in a crowd crush as millions of devotees went to bathe in India’s holy waters during one of the most sacred days of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival. The crush happened after a barrier broke, according to local officials. CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout has more.

Multiple people died in a crowd crush as millions of devotees went to bathe in India’s holy waters during one of the most sacred days of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival. The crush happened after a barrier broke, according to local officials. CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout has more.

Prayagraj

A tragic incident unfolded during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival held in India. Multiple fatalities were reported following a crowd crush that occurred after a barrier broke, according to local officials. The incident transpired as millions of Hindu devotees gathered to partake in holy rituals, including bathing in sacred waters in the Uttar Pradesh state. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to assist the injured, transporting them to hospitals amidst chaotic conditions.

Witnesses from the festival conveyed harrowing experiences of the crowd crush, with one attendee recounting the aggressive push that led to tragic falls and fatalities. Local media reported that around 100 million devotees were expected to visit on one of the sacred days of the festival, which is significant due to its massive scale—visible even from space, as captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.

Following the incident, security measures have been increased. The state chief reported that the situation is now under control, despite the continued presence of millions of devotees near the festival area. This tragic event underscores the risks present even on sacred occasions where massive numbers of participants gather.



Deadly crowd crush occurs at world’s largest religious festival

A deadly crowd crash has taken lives at India's Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious festival in the world. According to local authorities, the crash took place after a barrier broke. In this video from Reuters, you see the immediate aftermath. Devotees climbing over and through the fencing to escape the throngs of people. And emergency responders arriving at the scene with ambulances racing through the crowds to take the injured to hospital. Pilgrims on site say that the crowd crash happened 1.30 a.m. local time and describe harrowing scenes of chaos. Listen to this. Suddenly, there was a huge crowd and we got stuck somehow. People started pushing aggressively and we fell. My uncle was brought here to the hospital, but I have not been able to see his body. Yes, he died. It took place as about 100 million Hindu devotees were expected to visit the site on Wednesday and take a holy dip in the sacred waters in India's Uttar Pradesh state. This according to local media. This is a gathering that is so massive, you can see it from space. These images were taken by NASA astronaut Don Pettit from the International Space Station. Wednesday is one of the most significant days of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival. It is the day when devotees come to bathe at the confluence of three rivers. After the crowd crash, security has stepped up. The state chief says that the situation is, quote, under control. But despite the deadly crowd crash, millions of devotees still throng the area. This drone video shows massive crowds gathering near the rivers. The danger remains after a sacred day turns deadly. Christy Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.

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