Stampede at the Kumbh Mela Festival in India Leads to Mass Casualties

A fatal stampede occurred at the world's largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, in India. According to initial reports, at least 39 people have died in the tragedy, but authorities have yet to release official figures, reports NewsBox.

During the massive religious celebration of Kumbh Mela in India, a stampede claimed dozens of lives. The tragedy unfolded on the night of January 29th, when millions of pilgrims flocked to the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, eager to perform the ritual bath.

Unofficial reports suggest that at least 39 people lost their lives in the stampede. Indian authorities have not made any official statements regarding the number of dead and injured.

Eyewitnesses report that the incident happened when a large group of pilgrims moved towards the water but collided with those resting at the riverbank. In the chaos, people fell and couldn't get back up, and the barriers set up to manage the crowd only intensified the situation, making it difficult for those who fell to escape.

The Kumbh Mela festival is held once every few years and has been marred by tragic incidents in the past. In 1954, a similar stampede resulted in hundreds of deaths. In 2025, a special edition of the festival known as Maha Kumbh Mela, which occurs once every 144 years, will take place. Indian authorities estimate that approximately 400 million people will participate over the course of six weeks.