1996 Haridwar and Ujjain stampedes

The 1996 Haridwar and Ujjain stampedes were catastrophic crowd disasters that occurred during religious festivals in India, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries. The Haridwar incident took place during the Kumbh Mela on April 14, when an estimated 2 million pilgrims gathered for the sacred bathing ritual. A sudden rush towards the ghats led to a stampede that claimed over 50 lives and injured hundreds. In Ujjain, a similar tragedy unfolded on May 10, during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, as devotees flocked to the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Lack of crowd control measures and inadequate preparation exacerbated the situation, leading to the death of at least 36 individuals. These events underscored the urgent need for improved safety protocols during large religious gatherings in India.