India: 12 feared dead in crush at Kumbh Mela festival

Scores of people are feared dead in the crush that happened at the Kumbh Mela festival in India’s Prayagraj this morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key federal ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, have extended their condolences for the victims, acknowledging the tragic loss of lives.

However, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by BJP’s Yogi Adityanath, has yet to confirm the death toll, only stating that several people were injured, some critically.

Crowd crushes remain a recurring tragedy in India, often with devastating consequences. Earlier this month, six people lost their lives in a crush at a temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

In 2023, over 120 people died in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district during a religious gathering. Government data recorded 47 crush incidents across India in 2021 and 2022, though the death toll remains unclear.

The primary cause of such disasters is overcrowding at religious events, festivals, and public spaces.

While authorities are skilled in managing large gatherings, poor planning, inadequate crowd control, and lack of accountability make these tragedies inevitable.

With growing public outcry, the Uttar Pradesh government faces mounting pressure to provide answers and ensure better safety measures at mass events.