Warning: The story contains distressing details.
A tragic incident occurred during a pilgrimage at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Many people rushed towards the Sangam, leading to a crush that resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. Eyewitnesses claim that poor crowd control contributed to the chaos, with festival authorities failing to provide enough space for the pilgrims.
The Uttar Pradesh government has since launched a judicial investigation into the event.
Families of the victims are deeply grieving their losses and seeking answers. Many are still waiting for updates on their missing loved ones. Kaikeyi Devi traveled from Bihar with her husband to attend the festival. She vividly recalls the horrifying moment when he was trampled in front of her. “We cried out, ‘Let him be free!’ but he never returned,” she shared, waiting outside a mortuary to claim his body.
Taposh Roy, from Assam, shared a painful experience about his brother. He said, “There was no ambulance, and he lay there for so long. We begged the police for help, but they told us to wait. It was heartbreaking when they finally took him away, and we couldn’t go with him.”
An experience similar to Mr. Roy’s was reported by Tarun Bose from West Bengal, who lost a female relative. He expressed frustration that the authorities were slow to act: “The police took an hour and a half to retrieve her body, and there were no officers around when it happened.”
Such accounts highlight the need for better safety measures at large events. It’s crucial to ensure that crowds can move safely and that help is readily available in emergencies.
