A tragic stampede at the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has left at least 30 people dead and many more injured as crowds surged during a sacred bathing ritual in Prayagraj, India. The incident occurred before dawn on Wednesday, with reports indicating that over 400 million pilgrims were expected to participate in this year’s event.

The chaos erupted when a large crowd spilled out of a police cordon, trampling bystanders in the process. According to eyewitness accounts, many people were sleeping or sitting near the riverbank when the surge of devotees moved towards them in total darkness. “The entire crowd fell on top of me, trampling me as it moved forward,” recounted Renu Devi, a 48-year-old pilgrim, in an interview with CBS News. “When the crowd surged, elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came forward to help,” she added.

Efforts to manage the situation were hampered as authorities struggled to control the influx of pilgrims eager to participate in the ceremony. Rescue teams worked diligently to carry victims away from the site, where clothes, shoes, and belongings were left scattered. By Wednesday evening, police reported that thirty devotees had died, and at least 90 others were treated for injuries at a makeshift hospital established nearby.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident “extremely sad” and wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured. At the same time, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, criticized the local administration for mismanagement, claiming that VIP movements were prioritized over the safety of ordinary devotees during the event.

This year's festival marks a significant occasion on the Hindu religious calendar, particularly due to a rare planetary alignment which traditionally attracts massive participation. Historically, crowd incidents at such events are not uncommon; over 400 fatalities occurred during a single day of the festival back in 1954, regarded as one of the largest crowd-related disasters globally. Another tragic event happened in 2013 when 36 individuals lost their lives in a similar incident during the festival.

Officials had prepared extensively for the event, deploying hundreds of cameras and a sophisticated drone surveillance network across the festival site to monitor crowd density and prevent disasters. Despite the presence of security measures, attendees reported experiences of inadequate crowd control, sparking outrage and concern for public safety during such enormous gatherings.

As the Kumbh Mela continues, with millions still expected to visit before its concluding day on February 26, the events of this week have thrown a spotlight on the pressing need for improved crowd safety measures to prevent future tragedies at religious festivals. Reports continue to surface, raising the initial death toll, and authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of all participants.

For more details on the incident and the ongoing situation, visit SCMP, Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and Al Jazeera.