Death toll rises to nearly 40 in Maha Kumbh Mela stampede in India

A stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has resulted in nearly 40 deaths, with bodies still being brought to the morgue. The incident occurred as millions gathered for a sacred bathing ritual on a key day of the festival. Witnesses reported a surge in the crowd, leading to chaos and suffocation. Many victims suffered heart attacks or had pre-existing health conditions. Authorities are managing the situation, but official casualty numbers have not been confirmed. The festival, which attracts hundreds of millions, has faced criticism for crowd management. Opposition parties have blamed government mismanagement for the tragedy, echoing concerns from a similar incident in 2013 that killed 36 people.