KATHMANDU: The death toll in a deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has rissen to 38 people dead and many others injured.
The incident occurred early today as millions of pilgrims gathered for a holy dip at the Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.
According to initial reports, a sudden surge in the crowd led to the collapse of barriers, triggering panic. Rescue operations are underway, with authorities deploying the Rapid Action Force to control the situation.
Officials have urged devotees to follow safety guidelines and use designated areas.
In light of the tragedy, the ‘royal bath’ ceremony has been canceled.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, has witnessed similar incidents in the past, including a massive stampede in 1954.
Further updates are awaited as officials continue investigations.
Photos:
Police personnel carry a victim of stampede on a stretcher, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A deadly stampede on January 29, hit India’s Kumbh Mela, a vast Hindu festival held by the banks of the Ganges river that 400 million pilgrims are expected to visit over its six-week duration. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)Pilgrims gather to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at the Kumbh Mela festival in northern India told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)Devotees are seen at the site of stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)Pilgrims try to cross over a barricade upon their arrival to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at the Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)Security personnel carry an injured pilgrim at the site of a stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)Security personnel try to control the pilgrims near the site of a stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)An ambulance arrives at the site of a stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)An injured pilgrim is taken to a hospital after a stampede during Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)Police personnel carry victims of stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)A devotee reacts at the site of a stampede amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)Security personnel rush at the site of a stampede during Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)Security personnel stand guard outside a hospital after a stampede during Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)Pilgrims crowd near the site of a stampede during Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. A stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at Kumbh Mela festival told AFP. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP)
