NEW DELHI — A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday during the Maha Kumbh festival in India, resulting in the death of at least 30 individuals and leaving many others injured due to a stampede. The massive religious event, recognized as the largest gathering of its kind globally, drew a vast number of Hindu devotees aiming to partake in the holy bathing rituals in a sacred river.
The festival, which commenced on January 13, reached a peak on Wednesday, identified as a significant holy day. Authorities had anticipated an unprecedented turnout of around 100 million devotees to participate in ritual baths at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. This year’s Maha Kumbh festival, celebrated every 12 years, is projected to attract over 400 million visitors to the pilgrimage site throughout its duration.
In light of the recent disaster, it is essential to reflect on other notable stampedes in India over the past two decades that have resulted in significant loss of life:
In July 2024, more than 100 individuals perished in Uttar Pradesh when a stampede occurred during a Hindu religious gathering. Attendees had gathered at a temporary tent to listen to a sermon delivered by a Hindu leader. Panic ensued as crowds attempted to exit, leading to a fatal crush. Subsequent footage revealed that the makeshift structure had seemingly collapsed, exacerbating the chaos.
In October 2013, a stampede triggered by a collapsing bridge led to the deaths of 115 people, predominantly women and children, during the Navaratri festival. The tragedy unfolded in the small town of Ratangarh, Madhya Pradesh, which welcomed hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on the final day of this revered 10-day event.
Another devastating event occurred in Jodhpur in September 2008, where a stampede at a Hindu temple resulted in at least 168 deaths and around 100 injuries. The overcapacity at the site, with more than 12,000 attendees present for the Navaratri celebration, contributed to the catastrophic crush.
In August 2008, fear and panic drove a deadly stampede at a remote mountaintop temple during the Naina Devi celebrations in Himachal Pradesh. Speculation about a landslide reportedly incited the rush, leading to the tragic loss of 145 lives, including many women and children, amid a large crowd observed during the nine-day festival honoring the goddess Shakti.
Additionally, a catastrophic event in January 2005 involved a stampede during a religious procession towards a hilltop temple, resulting in 258 fatalities and 200 injuries. The incident, which occurred near Wai, approximately 150 miles from Mumbai, unfolded when a number of pilgrims toppled on the slippery temple floor, causing a domino effect. This angered many attendees, prompting them to set ablaze numerous temporary shops lining the narrow approach to the temple, further inciting panic and chaos.
These events highlight the critical need for enhanced safety measures during large public gatherings to prevent such unfortunate occurrences in the future.
