A pre-dawn stampede at the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has left at least 30 people dead and many more injured in Prayagraj, India, on Wednesday.

The tragic incident occurred as millions of Hindu pilgrims rushed to participate in a sacred ritual bathing at the holy river. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as a surging crowd broke through police barricades, trampling those who were sleeping or sitting on the ground.

“I was sitting near a barricade when the crowd fell on top of me, trampling me as it moved forward,” said 48-year-old pilgrim Renu Devi. “Elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came to help.”

Rescue teams rushed to the scene, navigating through piles of clothes, shoes, and personal belongings left behind. Authorities have yet to confirm an official death toll, but medical sources report at least 15 fatalities so far, with dozens of injured victims receiving treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the tragedy “extremely sad”, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

Deadly stampedes are not uncommon at large Indian religious gatherings. The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, draws tens of millions of devotees, making crowd control a major challenge.