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Business Wire
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Coca-Cola Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coca-Cola Company today reported first quarter 2025 results. 'Our performance this quarter once again demonstrates the effectiveness of our all-weather strategy,' said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. 'Despite some pressure in key developed markets, the power of our global footprint allowed us to successfully navigate a complex external environment. By remaining true to our purpose and staying close to the consumer, we are confident in our ability to create enduring long-term value.' Highlights Expand Quarterly Performance Expand Revenues: Net revenues declined 2% to $11.1 billion, driven by currency headwinds and the impact of refranchising bottling operations. Organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 6% and included 5% growth in price/mix and a 1% increase in concentrate sales. Concentrate sales were 1 point behind unit case volume, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter, partially offset by the timing of concentrate shipments. Operating margin: Operating margin was 32.9%, and comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 33.8%. Operating margin performance included items impacting comparability as well as currency headwinds. Comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) expansion was driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth, effective cost management, the timing of marketing investments and the impact of refranchising bottling operations, partially offset by currency headwinds. Earnings per share: EPS grew 5% to $0.77 and included the impact of a 9-point currency headwind. Comparable EPS (non-GAAP) grew 1% to $0.73 and included the impact of a 5-point currency headwind. Market share: The company gained value share in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink ('NARTD') beverages. Cash flow: Cash flow used in operations was $5.2 billion. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) declined approximately $5.7 billion versus the prior year, resulting in negative free cash flow (non-GAAP) of approximately $5.5 billion. Both decreased versus the prior year due to $6.1 billion of the contingent consideration payment made during the quarter in conjunction with the acquisition of fairlife, LLC ('fairlife') in 2020 ('fairlife contingent consideration payment'). Free cash flow excluding the fairlife contingent consideration payment (non-GAAP) was $558 million. Company Updates Expand Capturing compelling geographic opportunities with a local approach: To capitalize on the vast opportunities in developing and emerging markets, where approximately 80% of the world's population resides, the company is focusing on continuously improving its marketing, innovation, revenue growth management and integrated execution capabilities with system partners across local markets. The Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India occurs every 144 years and is considered the world's largest in-person gathering with an estimated 660 million attendees in 2025. For the first time in the company's history, the system intensified an integrated activation consisting of hundreds of refreshment zones, approximately 1,400 mobile stations and a world-record-long 100 cooler-door wall, leading to over 180 million servings consumed during the gathering. In China, during the Lunar New Year, activations featured Trademark Coca-Cola, Sprite and Minute Maid. The system launched occasion-based marketing campaigns, drove affordability and stepped-up execution in away-from-home channels, contributing to high single-digit volume growth in the quarter. In Türkiye, the company continued its 'Made in, Made by' campaign to emphasize the local essence of the company's products, including production and distribution by its system. By focusing on the local nature and economic impact of its business and community investment, the company built more trust with consumers, achieving double-digit volume growth and gaining value share in the market for the quarter. Innovating across a portfolio of local, regional and global brands: The company's total beverage portfolio, which includes 30 billion-dollar brands, serves consumers across countries, categories and channels. By elevating its use of consumer insights, the company is better understanding and responding to consumer need states at the local level. For instance, consumers are increasingly seeking great-tasting beverages with added nutrition. The company's fairlife trademark, which includes lactose-free ultra-filtered milk and high-protein Core Power and Nutrition Plan, continues to achieve strong volume growth. Leveraging the success of Simply, a premium juice brand, the company launched Simply Pop, its first prebiotic soda, in select regions and channels across the United States demonstrating its commitment to innovation in local markets. In India, Trademark Coca-Cola and Thums Up, a cherished regional brand, are fueling consumers and contributed to double-digit volume growth for the market in the first quarter. Globally, the company is addressing consumers' need for refreshing moments with its ready-to-drink tea offerings. The tea portfolio includes brands such as Fuze Tea in over 80 markets, Gold Peak in North America and Ayataka in Japan. During the first quarter, the company extended its global leadership position in the ready-to-drink tea category, delivering share gains in both volume and value. This strategic execution across markets ensures the company is delivering what consumers are seeking, whether through global or local favorites. Revenues and Volume Operating Income and EPS Percent Change Reported Operating Income Items Impacting Comparability Currency Impact Comparable Currency Neutral Operating Income 2 Consolidated 71 67 (6) 10 Europe, Middle East & Africa (1) (4) (6) 8 Latin America (4) (6) (16) 18 North America 170 165 0 4 Asia Pacific (5) (8) (4) 7 Bottling Investments (24) 1 (5) (21) Percent Change Reported EPS Items Impacting Comparability Currency Impact Comparable Currency Neutral EPS 2 Note: Certain rows may not add due to rounding. 1 For Bottling Investments, this represents the percent change in net revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in unit case volume computed based on total sales (rather than average daily sales) in each of the corresponding periods after considering the impact of structural changes, if any. 2 Organic revenues, comparable currency neutral operating income and comparable currency neutral EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures section. 3 Unit case volume is computed based on average daily sales. Expand In addition to the data in the preceding tables, operating results included the following: Consolidated Expand Unit case volume grew 2%, led by India, China and Brazil. Performance included the following: Sparkling soft drinks grew 2%. Trademark Coca-Cola grew 1%, primarily driven by growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as Asia Pacific. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar grew 14%, driven by growth across all geographic operating segments. Sparkling flavors grew 2%, primarily driven by growth in Asia Pacific. Juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages grew 1%, primarily driven by growth in Asia Pacific. Water, sports, coffee and tea grew 2%. Water grew 3%, driven by growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa. Sports drinks declined 1%, primarily driven by declines in Latin America and Asia Pacific. Coffee declined 2%, primarily driven by declines in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. Tea was even, as growth in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa was offset by declines in Latin America and North America. Price/mix grew 5%, primarily driven by pricing actions in the marketplace, partially offset by unfavorable mix. The impact from markets experiencing intense inflation contributed less in the first quarter of 2025 versus the prior year. Concentrate sales were 1 point behind unit case volume, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter, partially offset by the timing of concentrate shipments. Operating income grew 71%, which included items impacting comparability and currency headwinds. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) grew 10%, driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth across all operating segments, effective cost management and the timing of marketing investments. Europe, Middle East & Africa Expand Unit case volume grew 3%, primarily driven by growth in Trademark Coca-Cola and sparkling flavors. Price/mix grew 6%, primarily driven by pricing actions in the marketplace. Concentrate sales were 2 points behind unit case volume, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter, partially offset by the timing of concentrate shipments. Operating income declined 1%, which included items impacting comparability and a 9-point currency headwind. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) grew 8%, primarily driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth, partially offset by higher input costs and marketing investments. The company gained value share in total NARTD beverages, led by Romania, Egypt and Türkiye. Latin America Expand Unit case volume was even, as growth in Trademark Coca-Cola and water, sports, coffee and tea was offset by a decline in sparkling flavors. Price/mix grew 16%, driven by pricing actions in the marketplace, timing of investments and favorable mix. Concentrate sales were 3 points behind unit case volume, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter and the timing of concentrate shipments. Operating income declined 4%, which included items impacting comparability and a 22-point currency headwind. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) grew 18%, primarily driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth, partially offset by higher input costs. Value share in total NARTD beverages for the company was even as gains in Argentina and Brazil were offset by declines in Chile and Mexico. North America Expand Unit case volume declined 3%, primarily driven by declines in Trademark Coca-Cola and water, sports, coffee and tea. Price/mix grew 8%, driven by pricing actions in the marketplace and favorable mix. Concentrate sales were 1 point behind unit case volume, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter, partially offset by the timing of concentrate shipments. Operating income grew 170%, which included items impacting comparability and a 1-point currency headwind. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) grew 4%, primarily driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth, partially offset by higher input costs and marketing investments. The company gained value share in total NARTD beverages, led by juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages. Asia Pacific Expand Unit case volume grew 6%, driven by growth across all global beverage categories. Price/mix declined 1%, as pricing actions in the marketplace were more than offset by unfavorable mix. Concentrate sales were 2 points ahead of unit case volume, primarily due to the timing of concentrate shipments, partially offset by two fewer days in the quarter. Operating income declined 5%, which included items impacting comparability and an 11-point currency headwind. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) grew 7%, primarily driven by organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth and the timing of marketing investments. Value share in total NARTD beverages for the company was even as gains in the Philippines and Japan were offset by declines in Indonesia and India. Bottling Investments Expand Unit case volume declined 17%, largely due to the impact of refranchising bottling operations. Price/mix grew 3%, driven by pricing actions across markets. Operating income declined 24%, which included items impacting comparability, a 4-point currency headwind and the impact of refranchising bottling operations. Comparable currency neutral operating income (non-GAAP) declined 21%. Outlook Expand The 2025 outlook information provided below includes forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses in measuring performance. The company is not able to reconcile full year 2025 projected organic revenues (non-GAAP) to full year 2025 projected reported net revenues, full year 2025 projected comparable net revenues (non-GAAP) to full year 2025 projected reported net revenues, full year 2025 projected underlying effective tax rate (non-GAAP) to full year 2025 projected reported effective tax rate, full year 2025 projected comparable currency neutral EPS (non-GAAP) to full year 2025 projected reported EPS, or full year 2025 projected comparable EPS (non-GAAP) to full year 2025 projected reported EPS without unreasonable efforts because it is not possible to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the exact timing and exact impact of acquisitions, divestitures and structural changes throughout 2025; the exact timing and exact amount of items impacting comparability throughout 2025; and the exact impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates throughout 2025. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the company's full year 2025 reported financial results. Full Year 2025 Based on the current macroenvironment, the company is providing the following full year guidance. The company expects to deliver organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth of 5% to 6%. — No Update For comparable net revenues (non-GAAP), the company expects a 2% to 3% currency headwind based on the current rates and including the impact of hedged positions, in addition to a slight headwind from acquisitions, divestitures and structural changes. — Updated The company's operations are primarily local, however, it is subject to global trade dynamics which may impact certain components of the company's cost structure across its markets. At this time, the company expects the impact to be manageable. — New The company's underlying effective tax rate (non-GAAP) is estimated to be 20.8% versus 18.6% in 2024. This includes the impact of several countries enacting the global minimum tax regulations and does not include the impact of ongoing tax litigation with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, if the company were not to prevail. — No Update The company expects to deliver comparable currency neutral EPS (non-GAAP) growth of 7% to 9%. — Updated The company expects comparable EPS (non-GAAP) growth of 2% to 3%, versus $2.88 in 2024. — No Update Comparable EPS (non-GAAP) percentage growth is expected to include a 5% to 6% currency headwind based on the current rates and including the impact of hedged positions, in addition to a slight headwind from acquisitions, divestitures and structural changes. — Updated The company expects to generate free cash flow excluding the fairlife contingent consideration payment (non-GAAP) of approximately $9.5 billion. This consists of cash flow from operations excluding the fairlife contingent consideration payment (non-GAAP) of approximately $11.7 billion, less capital expenditures of approximately $2.2 billion. — No Update Second Quarter 2025 Considerations — New Comparable net revenues (non-GAAP) are expected to include an approximate 3% currency headwind based on the current rates and including the impact of hedged positions. Comparable EPS (non-GAAP) percentage growth is expected to include a 5% to 6% currency headwind based on the current rates and including the impact of hedged positions. Notes Expand All references to growth rate percentages and share compare the results of the period to those of the prior year comparable period, unless otherwise noted. All references to volume and volume percentage changes indicate unit case volume, unless otherwise noted. All volume percentage changes are computed based on average daily sales unless otherwise noted. 'Unit case' means a unit of measurement equal to 192 U.S. fluid ounces of finished beverage (24 eight-ounce servings), with the exception of unit case equivalents for Costa non-ready-to-drink beverage products, which are primarily measured in number of transactions. 'Unit case volume' means the number of unit cases (or unit case equivalents) of company beverages directly or indirectly sold by the company and its bottling partners to customers or consumers. 'Concentrate sales' represents the amount of concentrates, syrups, beverage bases, source waters and powders/minerals (in all instances expressed in unit case equivalents) sold by, or used in finished beverages sold by, the company to its bottling partners or other customers. For Costa non-ready-to-drink beverage products, 'concentrate sales' represents the amount of beverages, primarily measured in number of transactions (in all instances expressed in unit case equivalents), sold by the company to customers or consumers. In the reconciliation of reported net revenues, 'concentrate sales' represents the percent change in net revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in concentrate sales volume for the geographic operating segments after considering the impact of structural changes, if any. For the Bottling Investments operating segment, this represents the percent change in net revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in unit case volume computed based on total sales (rather than average daily sales) in each of the corresponding periods after considering the impact of structural changes, if any. The Bottling Investments operating segment reflects unit case volume growth for consolidated bottlers only. 'Price/mix' represents the change in net operating revenues caused by factors such as price changes, the mix of products and packages sold, and the mix of channels and geographic territories where the sales occurred. First quarter 2025 financial results were impacted by two fewer days as compared to first quarter 2024, and fourth quarter 2025 financial results will be impacted by one additional day as compared to fourth quarter 2024. Unit case volume results for the quarters are not impacted by the variances in days due to the average daily sales computation referenced above. The company is hosting a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss first quarter 2025 operating results today, April 29, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The company invites participants to listen to a live webcast of the conference call on the company's website, in the 'Investors' section. An audio replay in downloadable digital format and a transcript of the call will be available on the website within 24 hours following the call. Further, the 'Investors' section of the website includes certain supplemental information and a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the company's results as reported under GAAP, which may be used during the call when discussing financial results.
South China Morning Post
19-02-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
India sees record surge in stomach bug outbreaks
Outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease surged to the highest on record last year, in the latest example of unusual surges of even the most common bacterial and viral ailments across the world. Advertisement India had recorded more than 1,000 outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease across the country as of December 22, according to the latest data from the federal health ministry's surveillance programme. This is the highest level since the data was made publicly available in 2009. The health agency also reported more than 300 outbreaks of food poisoning across the country, the highest since 2019. An outbreak is defined as an illness 'clearly in excess of expected numbers', according to the ministry. While stomach-related disorders are among the most common infectious illnesses in India, the reasons behind this exceptional surge in the outbreaks are a bit of a mystery. It also shows the lurking public health risks linked to contaminated water or food sources in the world's most-populous country. Volunteers distribute food during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, India, on February 1. Photo: AFP There has been a global resurgence of diseases in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic , as historical illnesses and newer complications of existing ailments become more common across the world. Factors such as climate change, rising social inequality and healthcare services contribute in ways hard to measure, adding to the mounting public-health challenge. Advertisement An analysis last year in collaboration with disease-forecasting firm Airfinity found that 44 governments had reported the resurgence of at least one infectious disease over 10 times worse than the pre-pandemic baseline.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TVU Networks Pioneers Breakthrough Coverage of World's Largest Religious Gathering in India
TVU Networks provided professional broadcasting solutions to cover one of the world's largest religious gatherings. CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TVU Networks has successfully delivered comprehensive live coverage of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, India, marking a significant advancement in religious event broadcasting. The six-week spiritual gathering, occurring from January 13 to February 26, 2025, is expected to draw 450 million devotees to the confluence of three sacred rivers—the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The technical hurdles proved formidable: massive network saturation from hundreds of thousands of concentrated participants, challenging terrain creating persistent signal coverage gaps, and the imperative for extensive mobile broadcasting that demanded both portability and unwavering signal reliability. In response, media outlets deployed TVU Networks' sophisticated three broadcasting solutions, engineered specifically to address these complex demands. At the ground level, mobile reporting teams utilize TVU One backpacks, enabling fluid, dynamic coverage across the festival grounds. These sophisticated portable units harness proprietary Inverse StatMux Plus (IS+) transmission technology, working in concert with HEVC format smart VBR encoding and FEC. This technological convergence enables reporters to transmit pristine, stable live broadcasts from the most crowded bathing areas and ceremonial sites. Strategic positioning of broadcast vehicles and temporary studios throughout the festival grounds forms the second solution of coverage. These vehicles, equipped with TVU MLink transmitters and arrays of omnidirectional antennas, substantially expand signal reach. The professional-grade transmitters excel through sophisticated multi-network aggregation, seamlessly integrating 5G, 4G, WiFi, and ethernet connections to establish dependable transmission channels even amid intense network congestion. The third solution comprises TVU Rack Router 5G units serving as advanced network hubs within temporary studios. These robust systems simultaneously maintain connections to up to six 5G cellular networks while preserving compatibility with satellite, microwave, WiFi, and ethernet connections. This versatility ensures stable internet access with a remarkable bandwidth capacity reaching 1Gbps, supporting the entire array of electronic and broadcasting equipment. "We are incredibly proud to provide the technological backbone for broadcasting this historic spiritual gathering," said Subodh Aggarwal, General Manager for South Asia at TVU Networks. "Our solutions address the unique challenges of the Kumbh Mela—from network congestion to diverse broadcasting requirements. This successful implementation demonstrates our ability to deliver reliable solutions in demanding environments, setting a new benchmark for large-scale event coverage in India." View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TVU Networks Sign in to access your portfolio
Saudi Gazette
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Multiple people killed in crowd crush at Hindu religious festival in India
NEW DELHI — Multiple people were killed in a crowd crush at the world's largest religious gathering in India early Wednesday, as tens of millions of devotees went to bathe in a river on one of the most sacred days of a Hindu festival's special executive officer said a barrier near the river broke as throngs of people were walking toward the riverbanks to take their holy dip as part of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the Indian city of official source at a local hospital told CNN they had received 14 bodies around 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. About 20 people were also being treated for minor injuries, the source added. Indian authorities have not confirmed the number of Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to acknowledge the deaths in a post on X, in which he called the incident 'extremely sad.''My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured,' Modi said, adding that he is 'constantly in touch' with the Uttar Pradesh state state's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier said some of the devotees caught up in the crush were 'seriously injured' and had warned people against spreading and local media reported witnesses seeing several dead bodies near the river bank, and photos from Reuters showed bodies being carried from the site on by the news agency showed ambulances racing through huge crowds of people and casualties being brought to a nearby hospital. Security personnel could be seen helping devotees as scattered blankets and belongings lay strewn on the to local media, devotees said the incident took place around 1:30 a.m. local time and described chaotic scenes with people running in different directions and others falling over. Witnesses said families were separated in the surge of people and some remain people had already taken their holy dip and were resting on the riverbank when the crush occurred, witnesses told local media.'Suddenly, there was a huge crowd and we got stuck somehow. People started pushing aggressively and we fell,' one woman told local media from outside the incident occurred as about 100 million Hindu devotees from around the world were expected to visit the site on Wednesday and take a holy dip in the sacred waters in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, according to local media marks Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, when followers come to bathe in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – to purify their sins and take another step closer to 'spiritual liberation.'Drone footage shared by Reuters showed huge numbers of people already arriving at the site before the festival is considered the world's largest peaceful gathering of people. Over six weeks, a staggering 400 million people are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, or the festival of the Sacred Pitcher, on the banks of Minister Adityanath said late Wednesday morning that the situation was 'under control.'He did not give details on the number of casualties but said some of the devotees caught up in the crush became 'seriously injured' while 'trying to get through the barricades.''They were immediately taken to hospital and treated,' Adityanath said, adding that the incident occurred between 1 and 2 a.m. local sheer number of people at the site had created 'huge pressure,' he 80 million and 100 million people were in Prayagraj on Wednesday, with more than 50 million taking a dip in the waters the day before, he a post on X, Adityanath told devotees on Wednesday to avoid bathing at the sangam, where the rivers meet, and instead take dips at points along the river closest to them. Despite the appeal, huge crowds could be seen moving toward the sangam and bathing as the morning progressed, images shared by Reuters crushes at religious gatherings in India are not uncommon, and deadly incidents have occurred in the past, often highlighting a lack of adequate crowd control and safety measures. In 2013, dozens of people were killed and injured in a crowd crush at a railway station in Allahabad as pilgrims gathered for that year's Kumbh of the festival in Prayagraj, officials said extra safety measures had been put in place to protect visitors, including a security ring with checkpoints around the city staffed by more than 1,000 police central government said over 2,700 security cameras powered by artificial intelligence would also be positioned around the city, monitored by hundreds of experts at key drones were touted to provide surveillance from above and, for the first time, underwater drones capable of diving up to 100 meters were being activated to provide round-the-clock cover, the government Kumbh draws upon Hindu mythology and the legend of demons and gods fighting over a pitcher containing the elixir of immortality. During the fight, four drops from the pitcher fell on Earth, in Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar and Ujjain, which host the festival in gathering is particularly well known for attracting large crowds of Hindu holy men, known as sadhus, who travel from across the 12 years the festival carries the prefix 'Maha,' which means great, as it's the largest gathering of the Kumbh Mela that's held every three years in one of four cities. This year, the festival carries greater significance due to a rare alignment of celestial bodies that happens every 144 years. As of January 27, more than 197 million people had taken a dip into the holy waters, according to the Uttar Pradesh government. — CNN
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
At least seven people dead in India after stampede at religious festival
More than seven people were killed and around 10 injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in northern India on Wednesday, as tens of millions gathered to take a holy bath in the river in Prayagraj city. Drone footage showed millions of devotees, shoulder to shoulder, arriving in the pre-dawn dark at the temporary township in Prayagraj for the holy dip at the confluence of three rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical, invisible Saraswati. Video and photos after the stampede showed bodies being taken away on stretchers and people sitting on the ground crying, while others stepped over a carpet of discarded clothes, shoes, backpacks and blankets left by people as they tried to escape the stampede. A Reuters witness saw several dead bodies as he followed dozens of ambulances rushing towards the river bank where the incident occurred. 'More than seven people have been killed in the stampede and around 10 others injured,' said an official who did not want to be named, because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Officials said the stampede occurred around 1am local time (19.30 GMT). Its cause was unclear. However, witnesses said devotees trying to escape it were caught in another stampede at an exit. They then returned towards the pontoon bridges looking for another way out only to find it had been closed by authorities. 'I saw many people falling and getting walked on by the children and women getting lost, crying for help,' said Ravin, a devotee who gave only his first name and had travelled from the financial capital Mumbai for the festival. A Rapid Action Force (RAF) - a special unit called in during crisis situations - had been deployed to bring the situation under control and rescue efforts were under way, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and gave 'directions for normalisation of the situation and relief', reported news agency ANI. Mr Adityanath also appealed to people to take a dip at the nearest river bank rather than trying to reach the confluence of three rivers that is believed to absolve devotees of their sins and confer salvation from the cycle of birth and death. 'All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements,' he said on messaging platform X, as the devout continued to take holy dips in other parts of the sprawling temporary city. The world's largest congregation of humanity, the Hindu festival has already seen gigantic daily crowds, with nearly 148 million people attending since it began two weeks ago. Attendees range from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and celebrities like Coldplay's Chris Martin and actress Dakota Johnson, who local media reported reached Prayagraj on Tuesday. Mr Modi was also expected to visit the festival next month. Authorities had expected a record 100 million people to throng the temporary township in Prayagraj on Wednesday for the holy dip, considered the most auspicious day due to a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years. The 'royal bath' was briefly 'put on hold' following the incident, but later resumed. 'Now that the crowd has reduced and the ghats (banks) meant for our snan (bath) are being processions will be carried out as usual according to our tradition but will be at a smaller scale,' ascetic Ravindra Puri told ANI. Authorities had undertaken several measures to cater to the enormous crowd, including increased security and medical personnel, and special trains and buses. AI-software was also used to manage the crowds. A similar stampede had broken out on the most auspicious day of the festival when it was last held in 2013, killing at least 36 pilgrims, mostly women. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
