Tragedy Strikes During Hindu Religious Activity in India, Multiple Fatalities Reported
27 Dead, Dozens Injured in Crowd Crush During Ritual Baths
A devastating incident occurred in Rajahmundry, India, during a Hindu religious activity, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people and injuring dozens more. The tragedy unfolded as tens of thousands of devotees gathered at the banks of the Godavari River for ritual baths.
Death Toll Expected to Rise
According to authorities, the number of fatalities may continue to increase as "the bodies continue to arrive" at medical services. Ram Mohan Tiwari, a senior official in the Uttar Pradesh medical services, confirmed the situation.
Crowd Panic and Human Avalanche
Panic spread along the coast as pilgrims attempted to retrieve their fallen shoes, leading to a human avalanche that began with women slipping in a crowd of people at the entrance to steps on the riverbanks. The incident occurred when some devotees tried to retrieve their belongings, causing a surge in the crowd that resulted in the tragic loss of life.
Tragedy Highlights Dangers of Crowded Events
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with crowded events and the importance of crowd control measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
