Mass panic at the Kumbh Mela: at least 30 deaths on the night of terror!

Mass panic at the Kumbh Mela: at least 30 deaths on the night of terror!

With a tragic mass panic during the Kumbh Mela, the largest pilgrimage festival worldwide in India, at least 30 people were killed. The deadly tragedy, as believers, tried to climb over newly set up barriers that were supposed to serve to steer the crowd. Many had to push and injure themselves in the tightness, causing the situation to quickly get out of control. Eyewitnesses report on a chaotic crowd on the river bank in Prayagraj, where the pilgrims put themselves together and some even died, while they went down in the crowd, as the Reuters news agency reports.

Another accident and the reactions

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the X platform and prayed for the recovery of the numerous injuries. There were also children among the victims, and more than 60 other people had to be treated in hospitals. In response to the dramatic events, additional rescue vehicles have been provided, and the security forces have been on alert to prevent further panic, said the governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The police had previously installed hundreds of cameras to monitor the crowds and planned to ensure order with around 40,000 security forces.

The Kumbh Mela, who started on January 13 and continues until February 26, attracts millions of pilgrims. Overall, a record number of over 400 million participants is expected. Historically, there have been several accidents at this, which underlines why special precautions were taken this year. Nevertheless, the number of dead and injured will continue to employ the authorities, since the causes of the mass panic have to be extensively examined in order to avoid such tragedies in the future.