Mahakumbh Mela: Thirty killed in crush at India's Kumbh Mela festival

A stampede at the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering in northern India, has left at least 30 people dead, according to officials. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning on the banks of the river in Prayagraj, as devotees jostled to take part in a sacred bathing ritual, leading to the stampede.

Police stated that 60 others were injured. Official casualty figures were released gradually throughout the day, prompting opposition leaders to accuse authorities of a lack of transparency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those who lost loved ones, with many pilgrims still searching for news of family and friends.

Senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna said at a news conference on Wednesday evening that 90 injured people had been taken to hospitals, and "Unfortunately, 30 of the devotees have died." He added that 25 of the deceased had been identified. Earlier, BBC journalists witnessed chaotic scenes with clothes, shoes, blankets and backpacks strewn on the ground as crowds tried to flee the scene of the incident.

An eyewitness, Aisha Mishra, told the BBC, "People were running everywhere, they were being pushed and falling over. Children were getting crushed in the crowds." Videos and photographs from the scene showed people lying on the ground, their bodies and faces covered in mud. Some were being carried away on stretchers, with ambulances weaving through the vast tent city built for the event. For hours, the information about the number of dead or injured was confused and unclear.

Major hospitals were locked down and journalists were barred from entering. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke of serious injuries but did not mention any deaths. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the loss of life, but did not specify the number. He posted on X that the incident was "extremely saddening" and said "I hope all those injured recover soon."

News of the incident did not deter the huge crowds from pouring into the site, with government figures showing that more than 50 million people had bathed by 2 pm local time (08:30 GMT). The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years at Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Hindus believe bathing in the sacred waters washes away their sins and helps them attain salvation.

While the holy dip is the main attraction, the event is also a vibrant carnival of faith, with people from all walks of life, including ascetics, politicians and celebrities, gathering to celebrate. People have travelled from across the country and the world to Prayagraj for the festival which began on 13 January and runs until 26 February. Some come alone, others with their families, including children and the elderly.

Wednesday was the biggest and most important bathing day of the festival, with officials estimating crowds of up to 100 million people. It was also the day of Shahi snan, or royal bath, when thousands of ash-smeared ascetics plunge into the river. On Tuesday night, crowds had already started to swell, with a jubilant atmosphere enveloping the site. Ecstatic devotees sang and danced in large, colourful processions. People were looking forward to the morning's bathing.

However, the celebrations quickly turned to horror. News of the stampede first emerged between 1 am and 2 am local time (19:30-20:30 GMT), with many ambulances seen entering and leaving the site. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that the stampede was caused when devotees sleeping around barriers at the Sangam - the confluence of the rivers - were surged on by the crowds.

People began running in panic, and many were injured. Others had their clothes torn. "The crowd was so huge, people were trampling on each other. Me and my family fell," said a devotee named Poonam Singh, who had come with seven relatives, all of whom were now missing. "I have lost all my money and belongings, and I can't find my family," she added.

Uncertainty about what had happened added to the confusion. Many devotees said they sensed something was wrong but decided to keep moving forward because authorities did not confirm the situation. The first announcements were made at around 4 am, when officials began asking people to stop going to the Sangam and instead bathe at the nearest river banks. But it made little difference - by then, the roads leading to the Sangam were already packed.

Thousands continued to move forward - and were still doing so hours after the incident. Ascetics, who earlier said they would cancel their appearance, later went to bathe at the Sangam, although their processions were reduced in size. For many pilgrims, the search for loved ones continued throughout the day and into the evening. Many remained at the scene of the incident, which was littered with victims' slippers, clothes and other belongings, all covered in mud. Occasionally, the cries of mourners pierced the din.

Anita Devi, from the central city of Jhansi, said she had been looking for her husband all morning. "He needs his medicine, but I have it with me. I lost his hand when the stampede happened, and he disappeared in a blink of an eye," she told the BBC. "It's been so many hours and I can't find him. There are so many lost and found centres this year, I don't know where he might have gone. I am just trying to pray that he is alive and safe."

Crowd stampedes are common in India, with religious events, festivals and public places often suffering from overcrowding. Last year, more than 120 people died at a religious gathering in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. Officials say the situation at the Kumbh Mela is now under control. But Indian opposition leaders have criticised the government's handling of the stampede.

Parliamentary opposition leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X that the incident was "extremely saddening" and said "mismanagement, poor planning and the government's special focus on VIP movements rather than ordinary devotees is the reason for this tragic incident." Some pilgrims have also blamed authorities for the disaster. Aisha Mishra questioned why there were no police present at the spot where the stampede took place. "They were standing at the end of the festival site, while many of us were being crushed in the middle," she said. "We don't want to bathe like this," she added. "The government should now ask people to stay at home."