India orders probe into deadly stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela
Hours after the crowd crush, pilgrims continued to gather to take a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025. Niharika Kulkarni/AFP/Getty Images
Indian authorities have launched a judicial probe into a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, a revered Hindu festival, which left dozens dead and many more injured.
The tragic incident happened on Wednesday as millions of devotees gathered for a sacred dip in the confluence of three holy rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Police reports confirmed that at least 30 people were killed and 90 others injured, though sources suggested the death toll could be closer to 40. Witnesses described a massive surge of people pushing towards the riverbanks, leading to many falling and being trampled, while others collapsed due to suffocation as access routes became overcrowded.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the formation of a three-member judicial commission to investigate the cause of the stampede and recommend measures to prevent future incidents. The panel is expected to submit its findings within a stipulated time.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which occurs every 12 years, has already drawn nearly 280 million people since its commencement two weeks ago. Officials anticipate a total turnout of around 400 million devotees by 2025, making it the world’s largest religious gathering.
Opposition leaders and media outlets have criticized the mishandling of crowd control, urging the government to improve safety measures ahead of the remaining ‘royal dips’—key ritual bathing days when attendance peaks.
Authorities are now under pressure to enhance crowd management using advanced planning and technology to prevent further tragedies.
