Stampede at India’s Maha Kumbh Festival Leaves 17 Dead Amid Massive Crowds

Authorities said that at least 17 people died and more than 30 were injured in a stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela. This is one of the largest gatherings on earth, which occurs every 12 years.

Every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held in Prayagraj in India, 90 miles west of the holy city Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. An estimated 100,000,000 people bathe in holy water at the confluence between the rivers Yamuna, Ganges, and Saraswati. This is one of the holiest and most auspicious dates in the Hindu calendar.

According to Indian officials, the stampede started in the early morning hours of Wednesday. It is expected that the death toll will rise, as well as the number of injured.

The cause of the panic was not immediately known, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “extremely tragic” and offered his condolences to those who were affected.

“My sincere condolences go out to all the devotees who have lost loved ones,” Modi wrote in a blog post that he wished for the quick recovery of the injured.

Modi said that he has been in contact with his chief Minister and other authorities about the incident.

The authorities expect more than 100 million people to visit Prayagraj on Wednesday, for the Maha Kumbh Mela – the “Festival of the Sacred Pitcher”. Hindus consider this day to be auspicious and significant due to the rare alignment of celestial objects after 144 years.

According to the Associated Press, authorities have constructed a huge tent city along the river banks to accommodate millions of pilgrims attending the festival. The tent city is equipped with 3,000 toilets, 150,000 kitchens, roads, and electricity. It also has 11 hospitals and communication towers.

A total of 50,000 security officers are stationed throughout the city to maintain peace and manage the tens or millions of people that make up the crowds.