A pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, northern India, resulted in chaos, leading to dozens of injuries and fatalities. Local officials quickly restored order, allowing the festival's rites to continue within hours.
On Wednesday morning, ambulances navigated through a crowd of millions, transporting individuals to hospitals, including some who had succumbed to injuries from being trampled. Despite the swift response, local authorities did not release an initial death toll for nearly 15 hours following the incident.
As the situation unfolded, officials focused on providing updates about the number of attendees completing the bathing ritual at the confluence of three sacred rivers. Analysts suggested that the lack of information regarding the victims indicated an attempt to manage the narrative surrounding the event, which holds significant political implications.
By Wednesday evening, the official death toll was reported at 30, with 90 individuals injured. Among those searching for loved ones was a retired army officer who had been separated from his wife during the stampede. He recounted the chaos and his efforts to locate her amidst the confusion.
The Kumbh Mela, occurring every 12 years, is a major event expected to attract over 400 million pilgrims this year due to a rare celestial alignment. Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, aimed to showcase his administrative capabilities through the festival's organization, positioning himself as a key political figure.
Adityanath's government has invested heavily in public relations, with a budget exceeding $100 million, and has implemented policies to promote favorable media coverage. Following the tragedy, media outlets emphasized Adityanath's communications with Prime Minister Modi, downplaying the incident's severity.
Critics noted parallels between the government's response to this incident and its handling of the COVID-19 crisis, where a lack of transparency led to public distrust. Adityanath has since ordered an investigation into the delays in casualty reporting, although officials have not clarified the reasons for the slow response.
A former police chief involved in past Kumbh Mela arrangements acknowledged the logistical challenges of managing such a large event but expressed confusion over the delay in casualty information, which fueled speculation about the death toll.
Ultimately, the retired officer located his wife at a lost and found center, expressing relief but frustration over the lack of communication that prolonged their separation. He emphasized that timely information could have expedited their reunion.