At least six people lost their lives, and several others were injured during a stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Wednesday. The tragic incident occurred as a massive crowd assembled to collect entrance tokens for the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, one of the region’s most revered religious sites.
Prem Kumar Jain, spokesperson for the ruling Telugu Desam Party, expressed grief over the loss. “The unfortunate incident has claimed the lives of six devotees. I pray to god to give peace to the departed souls,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences, stating, “My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones,” through his social media handle.
Recurring Safety Concerns at Religious Gatherings
Stampedes and deadly accidents are not uncommon at places of worship in India, particularly during major festivals. Poor crowd management and inadequate safety measures often exacerbate the risks.
• In July last year, 121 people died during a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh.
• In 2016, 112 people were killed in Kerala due to a banned fireworks display marking the Hindu New Year.
A Looming Concern Ahead of the Kumbh Mela
The incident comes just days before the highly anticipated Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival of prayer and sacred bathing. With an estimated 400 million pilgrims expected to attend, this event is poised to be the largest religious gathering in history. Organizers face mounting pressure to ensure better safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for stringent crowd control and safety protocols, especially as India prepares for its largest religious event.