At least 30 dead in stampede during Maha Kumbh in India

A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in at least 30 fatalities and numerous injuries as a massive crowd surged during a sacred bathing ritual. The incident occurred early on Wednesday, a key day of the 45-day festival, where around 100 million attendees gathered at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Eyewitness accounts described harrowing scenes as devotees were trampled in the chaos, with police reporting that 90 individuals were hospitalized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and concern for the victims' families. The stampede highlights the frequent dangers at such large religious gatherings in India, where past events have also seen similar tragedies. Authorities are expected to provide further details on the official death toll and ongoing investigations into the incident.