Many people are feared dead and dozens 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.

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 (1930 UK time).

Image:
People are 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
Image:
Ambulance crews have been taking the injured to hospital. Pic: APTN

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.

still from APTN direct showing rescue teams after a stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India Credit APTN
Image:
A Rapid Action Force unit, a special team deployed during crisis situations, has been sent to the scene. Pic: APTN

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the chief minister for Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi 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)
Image:
Hindus take a dip on Wednesday during the Maha Kumbh festival. Pic: AP

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

Organisers had forecast that more than 400 million people would attend the pilgrimage site over the next six weeks.

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
Image:
Huge crowds gathered on Tuesday at the Hindu festival, the world’s largest religious gathering. 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)
Image:
Hindu devotees arriving for a holy dip on Tuesday. Pic: AP

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

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