Summary of the day …
Dozens of people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday. State authorities said at least 30 people were killed and 60 were injured in the pre-dawn stampede. Three police sources and a Reuters witness put the toll at nearly 40
Bodies were still being brought to the Moti Lal Nehru Medical College hospital morgue more than 12 hours after the tragedy at the world’s biggest gathering of people. 100 million people had been anticipated on Wednesday
The stampede appears to have occurred when crowds surged towards the confluence of three rivers, where immersion is considered particularly sacred
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to those who had lost loved ones, in an incident he described as “extremely sad”. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said “mismanagement” of the festival by the administration as being responsible for the deaths
Indian authorities have been slow to release information about the accident, with the first official casualty figures being issued nearly 18 hours after the stampede, while the festival continued on as planned
Festivities at the Kumbh Mela have continued on Wednesday, despite the stampede.
