Opposition alleges 'VIP culture'

THIRTY PEOPLE DIED and at least 60 were injured in a pre-dawn stampede Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj where hundreds of thousands gathered to take a dip at the Sangam.

- MANISH SAHU & MAULSHREE SETH

The incident took place shortly after 1.30 am as people headed towards the Sangam Nose – it's the strip of land at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – for a ritual bath on the day of Mauni Amavasya which is considered auspicious.

The dead and injured were taken to medical facilities on the Maha Kumbh grounds and to hospitals in the city. Following the incident, the snans (ritual bath) were halted but resumed in the afternoon. Officials estimated that over 100 million people had taken a dip in the waters until evening.