A recent BBC Hindi investigation has shed light on the tragic events surrounding a crowd crush at the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, held in Prayagraj, India, revealing a far higher death toll than the official figure suggests. While Indian officials list 37 deaths, the investigation found 26 additional fatalities, with families receiving compensation payments, and 18 more deaths that went entirely unacknowledged.
On March 25, police officers from Uttar Pradesh (UP) traveled to Gopalganj city in Bihar, distributing cash to families of victims. Among those compensated was Tara Devi’s family who received 500,000 rupees (around $5,758). Family members reported that police coerced them to sign documents attributing the deaths to health issues rather than the crush. The UP government claims it has disbursed full compensation of 2.5 million rupees ($28,933) to certain families, yet the BBC has identified discrepancies in the allocations, further questioning the government's transparency.
The BBC's investigation revealed evidence of at least four separate crush incidents occurring on January 29, contrary to state government claims that only one incident took place at the Sangam confluence. By engaging with over 100 families across India, the BBC verified a total of 82 deaths, gathering concrete evidence including death certificates and eyewitness accounts to establish a clearer picture of what transpired.
Families of victims describe sitting with corpses in inhumane conditions for extended periods, waiting for assistance that did not arrive. This raises critical concerns about the management of the event which, despite employing extensive safety measures, failed to protect attendees. Eyewitness testimonies highlight harrowing experiences as families struggle not only with the loss of loved ones but also with navigating bureaucratic hurdles for recognition and compensation, creating an additional layer of trauma and injustice in the wake of tragedy.
As authorities remain reticent, this troubling finding calls into question the accountability and transparency of government officials charged with overseeing one of the world's largest religious gatherings, prompting the need for continued scrutiny as families seek justice and acknowledgment for their losses.
