Multiple people killed in crowd crush at world’s largest religious festival

By Manveena Suri, Helen Regan, Aishwarya S Iyer and Lauren Kent, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 6:51 AM EST, Wed January 29, 2025

(CNN) — Multiple people were killed in a crowd crush at the world’s largest religious gathering in India early Wednesday, as tens of millions of devotees went to bathe in a river on one of the most sacred days of a Hindu festival.

The festival’s special executive officer said a barrier near the river broke as throngs of people were walking toward the riverbanks to take their holy dip as part of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the Indian city of Prayagraj.

An official source at a local hospital told CNN they have received 35 bodies, with more coming in, meaning the death toll is expected to rise. About 20 people were also treated for minor injuries, the source said earlier. Indian authorities have not confirmed the number of casualties.

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