2013 Prayag Kumbh Mela stampede

The 2013 Prayag Kumbh Mela stampede occurred on February 10, 2013, during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The stampede happened at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers, where millions had gathered for the ceremonial bathing on auspicious dates. Tragically, it resulted in the deaths of 36 individuals, with many more injured, as the crowd surged toward a narrow bridge while fleeing rumors of a sudden collapse. The incident raised serious concerns regarding crowd management and safety protocols at large religious events. Subsequent investigations called for improvements in infrastructure and coordination to prevent future tragedies during such significant gatherings.