Families search for missing relatives after 12 feared dead in crush at Kumbh Mela festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged the tragic loss of life following a crowd crush at a major religious festival in northern India. While government officials have expressed condolences, the exact number of casualties and injuries remains unconfirmed.

Eyewitnesses and hospital sources told the BBC that at least a dozen people lost their lives in the chaos at the Kumbh Mela festival. The BBC's Samira Hussain described scenes of "absolute chaos" along the riverbank, with abandoned clothes, shoes, blankets, and backpacks scattered as crowds desperately tried to flee.

Officials had anticipated that up to 100 million people would attend the bathing day at Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The BBC's Vikas Pandey reported that "tens of thousands" are still attempting to take the holy dip, but the atmosphere has been described as "very muted" due to the tragic events.