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Al Jazeera
31-01-2025
- Al Jazeera
Three million Hindus take ‘holy dip' a day after fatal crowd crush
Millions of Hindus have thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh Mela festival, a day after dozens died at a crowd crush at the world's largest religious gathering. Train and bus stations in the city saw a surge in crowds as people continued to arrive for the festival, although some devotees remained nervous after the deadly crush. Krishna Soni, a student from the western state of Rajasthan's Bikaner city, and his family of eight linked themselves together with string to ensure they would not lose each other in the massive crowd. Police said 30 people were killed in Wednesday's crush and 60 were injured. The Mahakumbh Mela – held every 12 years – is expected to draw some 400 million devotees this year, officials estimate. The festival is taking place at a 4,000-hectare (9,900-acre) temporary township created for the purpose on the river banks – the size of 7,500 football fields. About 150,000 tents have been erected to accommodate devotees along with almost an equal number of toilets.
Observer
30-01-2025
- Observer
Millions take 'holy dip' a day after fatal stampede
PRAYAGRAJ: Millions of devout Hindus thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj on Thursday for the Maha Kumbh festival, a day after dozens died in a stampede in the holy centre on the most auspicious day of the six-week event. Train and bus stations in the city saw a surge in crowds as people continued to arrive for the festival, although some devotees remained nervous after the deadly crash. Krishna Soni, a student from the western state of Rajasthan's Bikaner city, and his family of eight linked themselves together with string to ensure they would not lose each other in the massive crowd. "We are walking very carefully and trying to avoid the crowded areas," he said. Police said 30 people were killed in the stampede at the world's biggest gathering of humanity and 60 were injured, but sources said the death toll was more than 50 and a witness counted at least 39 bodies in the morgue. — Reuters
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Devotees return to Maha Kumbh festival in India despite stampede fatalities
Listen to article Millions of devout Hindus thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj on Thursday for the Maha Kumbh festival, a day after dozens died in a stampede on the most auspicious day of the six-week event. But some devotees remained nervous after the fatal crush. Krishna Soni, a student from the western state of Rajasthan's Bikaner city, and his family of eight linked themselves together with string to ensure they would not lose each other in the massive crowd. "We are walking very carefully and trying to avoid the crowded areas," he told Reuters. Police said 30 people were killed on Wednesday in a crush at the world's biggest gathering of humanity, and 60 were injured, but sources told Reuters the death toll was nearly 40. Indian authorities have ordered a probe into the incident when people surged towards a river to take a dip in its waters as part of the festival. More than 76 million people on Wednesday took what is called a "royal dip" in the river waters up until 8 p.m., and three more "royal dips" are scheduled before the festival ends. On Thursday, more than nine million people took a "holy dip" at the confluence of three sacred rivers by 10 a.m, officials said. Devotees take 'holy dips' everyday, but on specific dates the practice is considered particularly sacred and is called a "royal" dip, attracting larger crowds. Devout Hindus believe that taking a dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers - the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati - absolves them of sins and brings salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The Hindu festival - held every 12 years - is expected to draw some 400 million devotees in 2025, officials estimate. The Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in comparison, drew 1.8 million people last year. Railway and bus stations across Prayagraj saw a surge in crowds on Thursday as people continued to arrive for the festival, but authorities said the rush was being managed and there were no incidents. "Things are now totally under control," senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna told Reuters. Opposition leaders have blamed the stampede on mismanagement and urged the government to improve festival arrangements, while local media said on Thursday that better crowd planning was needed to prevent such incidents. "There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh," the Hindustan Times newspaper said in an editorial. Authorities erected a temporary city across 4,000 hectares (9,990 acres) on the river banks - the size of 7,500 football fields - with 150,000 tents to accommodate devotees and almost an equal number of toilets. More than 50,000 personnel are on guard to ensure the safety of visitors.
South China Morning Post
30-01-2025
- South China Morning Post
Millions in India take ‘holy dip' a day after deadly stampede at Hindu festival
Published: 2:26pm, 30 Jan 2025 Millions of devout Hindus thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj on Thursday for the Maha Kumbh festival, a day after dozens died in a stampede on the most auspicious day of the six-week event. But some devotees remained nervous after the fatal crush. Krishna Soni, a student from the western state of Rajasthan's Bikaner city, and his family of eight linked themselves together with string to ensure they would not lose each other in the massive crowd. 'We are walking very carefully and trying to avoid the crowded areas,' he said. Pilgrims gather to take a holy dip on Wednesday. Photo: AFP Police said 30 people were killed on Wednesday in a crush at the world's biggest gathering of humanity and 90 were injured, but sources told Reuters the death toll was nearly 40.
