Tragic Collision Claims Lives of 10 Devotees Heading to Maha Kumbh Mela

In a devastating incident, ten individuals en route to the Maha Kumbh Mela in India lost their lives following a collision between a car and a bus. The accident occurred on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur highway in Uttar Pradesh, where the car, transporting devotees from Chhattisgarh, crashed into a bus.

In addition to the fatalities, 19 others sustained injuries in the crash, prompting Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to direct officials to enhance relief efforts and provide adequate medical care for those injured.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, recognized as the world's largest gathering of humanity, is currently taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This sacred Hindu festival, celebrated every 12 years, draws millions of pilgrims who seek to wash away their sins by bathing in the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river.

According to official estimates, more than 500 million attendees have participated in the 45-day festival that commenced on January 13. However, the event has unfortunately been marred by previous tragedies. Earlier this week, seven individuals perished in a separate bus accident while returning from the festival in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, a pre-dawn stampede at the festival grounds on January 29 resulted in 30 deaths, as reported by officials.

In the wake of the recent accident, President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families through social media, expressing sorrow over the loss of life on the Mirzapur Highway.

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela continues to attract immense crowds, but opposition parties have raised concerns regarding the government's transparency, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration in Uttar Pradesh of downplaying the actual number of casualties associated with the festival.

As the event progresses, safety remains a critical concern, and authorities are urged to implement measures to protect the large influx of devotees participating in this significant religious occasion.