NEW DELHI — A significant fire broke out at a large Hindu festival in Prayagraj city, located in northern India, engulfing at least 18 temporary tents, as reported by officials on Sunday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The fire erupted due to the explosion of a gas cylinder but was successfully brought under control by firefighters, according to police statements. Pictures from the extensive tent area at the meeting point of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers depicted thick smoke rising while firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames.

The Maha Kumbh festival, which occurs every twelve years, commenced last Monday and is recognized as the world’s largest religious gathering. Official estimates suggest that approximately 77 million individuals are currently attending, with expectations of over 400 million participants throughout the six-week festivities.

Devotees believe that taking a dip at the sacred confluence purifies them from sins and liberates them from the cycle of rebirth. To cater to the large influx of holy men, pilgrims, and tourists at the festival, a vast tent city has been constructed along the riverbanks. This temporary settlement includes 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets, as well as vital infrastructure such as roadways, electricity, water supplies, communication towers, and 11 hospitals.

In addition, around 50,000 security personnel are deployed throughout the area to manage both safety and crowd control effectively. The authorities remain vigilant to ensure the well-being of attendees during this significant and sacred event.