**Tragedy Strikes at Kumbh Mela: Deadly Stampede Leaves 15 Pilgrims Dead**
The world's largest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela, has been marred by tragedy as a deadly stampede claimed the lives of at least 15 pilgrims. The incident occurred in the early morning hours when a surging crowd spilled out of a police cordon and trampled bystanders, leaving many more injured.
**Recurring Concerns**
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Deadly crowd incidents are all too common at Indian religious festivals, including the Kumbh Mela. The massive gathering attracts tens of millions of devotees every 12 years to the northern city of Prayagraj. In 1954, more than 400 people died in a single day of the festival, while in 2013, 36 people were crushed to death.
**Eyewitness Accounts**
Pilgrim Renu Devi, 48, recounted her harrowing experience with Agence France-Presse (AFP). She was sitting near a barricade when the crowd surged and trampled her. "When the crowd moved forward, elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came forward to help," she said.
**Emergency Response**
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to carry victims from the accident site, navigating through piles of clothes, shoes, and other discarded belongings. The authorities have yet to officially confirm the number of dead in the stampede, which occurred around 1 a.m. local time.
**Leaders' Reactions**
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his "deepest condolences" to the families of those killed and wished for the speedy recovery of all injured. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured that medical workers were treating those seriously injured in the crush, adding that the situation was under control.
**Lessons Learned**
The Kumbh Mela is a six-week festival that has been likened to a temporary country. With millions expected to visit before the final day on February 26, authorities have taken measures to prevent similar tragedies. Hundreds of cameras were installed at the festival site and on roads leading to the sprawling encampment, feeding into a sophisticated command and control center designed to alert staff if sections of the crowd pose a safety threat.
**A Call for Change**
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi attributed the disaster to poor crowd management that prioritized the comfort of prominent pilgrims. He urged authorities to prioritize the safety of all devotees, not just VIPs. As the Kumbh Mela comes to an end, it is essential to learn from this tragedy and work towards creating a safer environment for future festivals.
**Conclusion**
The tragic stampede at the Kumbh Mela serves as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety measures in preventing such disasters. It is crucial that authorities prioritize the well-being of all devotees, regardless of their social standing or influence, to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again.
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