At least 30 people have died and 60 have been injured in a stampede at a Hindu festival in northern India.

Images from the scene in the city of Prayagraj, in Uttar Pradesh state, show bodies being stretchered away and rescuers helping those who were hurt.

All 60 people injured have been taken to hospital, according to local police.

Millions of people were attempting to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival when there was an initial stampede at 1am local time (7.30pm UK time) on Wednesday.

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People bathing in the Ganges on Wednesday. Pic: AP

The banks and a bridge over the Ganges full of people on Wednesday. Pic: AP
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The banks and a bridge over the Ganges full of people on Wednesday. Pic: AP

Authorities said people trying to escape it were then caught in a second – and more serious – stampede at an exit.

Devotees had congregated to bathe at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Authorities took more than 16 hours to release precise numbers of those injured and killed.

A Rapid Action Force unit, a special team deployed during crisis situations, was sent to the scene.

Security personnel assist a person after a stampede before the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at the "Kumbh Mela" or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, India, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali
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Security teams helping those injured at the Maha Kumbh festival. Pic: Reuters

People react, after a deadly stampede before the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath), at the "Maha Kumbh Mela" or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, India, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
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People in a state of shock after the deadly stampede. Pic: Reuters

still from APTN direct showing rescue teams after a stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India Credit APTN
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A Rapid Action Force unit was sent to the scene. Pic: APTN

The state’s most senior official, Yogi Adityanath, made a televised statement later on Wednesday, urging those still planning to bathe in the Ganges to do it elsewhere on the riverbank.

“The situation is now under control, but there is a massive crowd of pilgrims,” he said.

Around 30 million people had taken the holy bath by 8am local time on Wednesday, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has spoken to Mr Adityanath, calling for “immediate support measures”, according to the ANI news agency.

map showing location of stampede at massive Maha Kumbh festival in India

Authorities had expected a record 100 million people to visit Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh – “festival of the Sacred Pitcher” – on Wednesday for the holy dip.

It is regarded as a significant day for Hindus, due to a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years.

Hindu devotees take a holy dip by the banks of the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, on "Mauni Amavasya" or new moon day during the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma)
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A woman bathing in the Ganges as part of the festival on Wednesday. Pic: AP

The Maha Kumbh festival, which is held every 12 years, started on 13 January, lasts six weeks, and is the world’s largest religious gathering.

Organisers had forecast that more than 400 million people would attend the pilgrimage site over the course of the festival.

Before stampede - devotees gather early in the morning during the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali
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Huge crowds gathered on Tuesday. Pic: Reuters


Indian Hindu devotees arrive for a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, on the eve of the 'Mauni Amavasya' or new moon day during the Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
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People arriving for a holy bath on Tuesday. Pic: AP

Authorities have built a sprawling tent city on the riverbanks, equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets and 11 hospitals.

Stampedes are relatively common around Indian religious festivals, where large crowds can gather in small areas.