Families are mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones who perished in a crush during a significant religious festival in northern India this week as they await the return of the bodies for burial.
On Wednesday, a tragic incident at the Kumbh Mela resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals during one of the festival’s most sacred days, part of the six-week Hindu celebration.
The incident occurred in Prayagraj city, close to the Sangam, a revered confluence of the holy Ganges, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati rivers, where pilgrims traditionally immerse themselves.
The festival, described as the largest congregation of people, draws tens of millions of pilgrims from across the globe.
A tragic incident unfolded as a large influx of pilgrims heading to the Sangam led to a crush, resulting in devotees who were resting by the riverbank being trampled.
Eyewitness accounts have blamed the police and festival authorities, citing inadequate crowd-control measures and insufficient space for pilgrims to navigate to their destinations.
The government of Uttar Pradesh state has initiated a judicial investigation into the incident.
As the families of the victims grieve the loss of their loved ones, many express that numerous questions still linger without resolution. Many individuals continue to await updates regarding their loved ones.
Kaikeyi Devi, who journeyed from Bihar with her husband to participate in the Kumbh Mela, recounts the haunting memory of witnessing him being trampled right before her eyes.
“He was caught in the chaos, and we began to cry… ‘Let him free! Let him be! We are here!’…but he never returned,” Ms. Devi recounted to Reuters as she stood outside a mortuary in Prayagraj city, awaiting the collection of her husband’s body.
Taposh Roy, a resident of Assam, shares his harrowing experience following the tragic loss of his brother in the crush, highlighting the significant delay in receiving assistance from authorities.
He remained on the ground for an extended period, as no ambulance arrived to transport him to the hospital. The family implored the police, expressing their willingness to transport him independently, yet they were instructed to remain patient. “When police took him, we were not allowed to accompany him,” Mr. Roy stated in an interview with the Indian Express.
Tarun Bose from West Bengal shared a similar experience, having lost a female relative in a tragic crash.
The authorities were unable to effect a rescue, with police ultimately recovering her body after a prolonged hour and a half. “There were no police officers present at the accident scene,” he stated in an interview with the AFP news agency.
Deepak Hattarwat, a resident of Karnataka, is grieving the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. He did not attend the festival and claims he learned of their deaths a day later, receiving the news from a fellow traveler in their group.
Plans were underway for her wedding. What actions should I take, and to whom should I dedicate my life now? Mr. Hattarwat spoke with the Indian Express newspaper.
In the aftermath of the incident, many individuals reported that they continued to seek their loved ones, and more than 48 hours had passed since the event.
Manoj Kumar Sahni, a resident of Bihar, informed Reuters that he has been fervently seeking his father, who has gone missing.
“For the past three days, I have been searching for him.” I also visited the hospital, but I was unable to locate him. “We conducted searches at both the railway station and the bus stand, but we were unable to locate him,” he stated.
In the wake of the incident, authorities have intensified security protocols at the festival, implementing a ban on vehicles entering the mela grounds until February 4. On Monday, the upcoming bathing day will draw large crowds as the festival unfolds.
