Confusion began when faithful tried to jump barricades erected for the movement of religious saints, said the main authority of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath
One in Prayagraj, a city in the north of, left 15 during the Hindu Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, an event that is expected to attract a total of 400 million faithful until the end of the activities on February 26 and is considered the largest human meeting on the planet. The confusion began when faithful tried to jump barricades erected for the movement of religious saints, said the main authority of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, in a televised statement.
In a publication on social networks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “extremely sad” and extended his condolences also without specifying the number of victims. “My deepest condolences to the devotees who lost their loved ones. Along with this, I wish the rapid recovery of all injuries, ”Modi said on a post on the former X -social platform Twitter.
Authorities expected a record of 100 million devotees to participate in a ritual at the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers on Wednesday. Hindus believe that a dive in the place will purify them from their past sins and end their reincarnation process. Fatalities are relatively common at Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas. In 2013, at least 40 pilgrims who were participating in the same festival were killed in a stampede at a train station in Prayagraj.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Content
