Tragedy struck the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday morning as a stampede at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj left at least 15 people feared dead and dozens injured.

The incident occurred as thousands of devotees surged through barriers to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, the day of the second Shahi Snan (royal bath).

The stampede, which took place around 2 a.m., unfolded amidst a sea of tightly-packed crowds at the Sangam and along the 12-km stretch of ghats created for the religious event. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as barriers collapsed under the weight of the massive crowd, separating families and leaving many injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "extremely sad" and extended his deepest sympathies to the victims and their families.

"The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Local authorities and emergency services rushed to the scene to provide assistance. Medical teams have been deployed to treat the injured, while efforts are underway to reunite families separated in the chaos.

The Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, draws millions of devotees from across India and beyond. Despite extensive preparations, the sheer volume of attendees poses significant challenges to crowd management and safety.

Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the stampede and are reviewing crowd control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The administration has urged devotees to remain calm and follow safety protocols during the remainder of the event.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the grand spiritual gathering, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures at mass religious events. (ILKHA)