36 killed in stampede at Indian rail station near huge Hindu festival - CNN

36 killed in stampede at Indian rail station near huge Hindu festival

From Harmeet Shah Singh, CNN

Updated 0229 GMT (1029 HKT) February 11, 2013

Indian authorities remove the body of a person killed during a stampede at the railway station in Allahabad on Sunday.
Indian authorities remove the body of a person killed during a stampede at the railway station in Allahabad on Sunday.

Story highlights

  • In addition to the dead, over 30 were hurt in Allahabad, a railway spokesman says
  • The rail station stampede mars the world's largest religious festival
  • An estimated 40 million Hindu pilgrims came to bathe in the Ganges River
  • India's prime minister says he's "deeply shocked" by the deaths
A railroad station crush left 36 people dead Sunday among tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims flocking to the banks of the Ganges River for the world's largest religious gathering, authorities reported.
The stampede occurred about 7 p.m. after someone fell from a platform bridge in Allahabad, the scene of this year's Kumbh Mela festival, North-Central Railway spokesman Sandeep Mathur said. He said the station was overcrowded with pilgrims, but denied reports that the bridge had collapsed.
In addition to the 36 killed, more than 30 people were injured in the stampede, according to Mathur. Earlier, 10 people were reported dead.
An estimated 40 million people came to Allahabad, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday to bathe at the confluence of the Yamuna and Ganges rivers and the mythical Saraswati River. It's the most significant Hindu pilgrimage, occurring every 12 years, Indian cultural and political observer K. G. Suresh said.
"The Hindus believe that a dip in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the Saraswati on this occasion helps get rid of all worldly sins," Suresh said.
Colored powder billows over the crowd during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on March 9, 2013, during which pilgrims symbolically wash off their sins in a two-month-long festival.
Photos: Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival
Colored powder billows over the crowd during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on March 9, 2013, during which pilgrims symbolically wash off their sins in a two-month-long festival.
Photos: Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival
Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Colored powder billows over the crowd during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on March 9, 2013, during which pilgrims symbolically wash off their sins in a two-month-long festival.
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Bihari Hindu priests smear colored powder on each other after a ritual at the Sangam on March 6.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Bihari Hindu priests smear colored powder on each other after a ritual at the Sangam on March 6.
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Bihari Hindu priests run while holding their ears during a ritual at the Sangam on March 6.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Bihari Hindu priests run while holding their ears during a ritual at the Sangam on March 6.
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An Indian child dressed as the Hindu god Shiva plays with sand on the banks of the Sangam in Allahabad on March 5.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – An Indian child dressed as the Hindu god Shiva plays with sand on the banks of the Sangam in Allahabad on March 5.
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Hindu devotees return by boat after taking a holy dip at Sangam during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad on Wednesday, February 27.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Hindu devotees return by boat after taking a holy dip at Sangam during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad on Wednesday, February 27.
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A woman places a floating candle on the Sangam on Sunday, February 17.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A woman places a floating candle on the Sangam on Sunday, February 17.
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A woman bathes in the Sangam on February 17.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A woman bathes in the Sangam on February 17.
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A woman rises out of the Sangam on February 17.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A woman rises out of the Sangam on February 17.
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Young men run in the waters of the Sangam as Hindu devotees bathe on Saturday, February 16.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Young men run in the waters of the Sangam as Hindu devotees bathe on Saturday, February 16.
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A Hindu devotee bathes in the Sangam on February 16.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A Hindu devotee bathes in the Sangam on February 16.
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A Hindu man prepares to bathe in the Sangam on February 16.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A Hindu man prepares to bathe in the Sangam on February 16.
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Temporary tents for devotees fill Sangamat at dusk during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on Wednesday, February 13.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Temporary tents for devotees fill Sangamat at dusk during the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on Wednesday, February 13.
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Hindu pilgrims walk across a pontoon bridge on the banks of Sangam on Tuesday, February 12, at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Hindu pilgrims walk across a pontoon bridge on the banks of Sangam on Tuesday, February 12, at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
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The Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – The Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam.
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Hindu pilgrims pack tightly into a train car at Allahabad train station on Monday, February 11, where a deadly stampede occurred the night before.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Hindu pilgrims pack tightly into a train car at Allahabad train station on Monday, February 11, where a deadly stampede occurred the night before.
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Men grieve on February 11, after a railroad station crush that left 36 people dead Sunday at the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Men grieve on February 11, after a railroad station crush that left 36 people dead Sunday at the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India.
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A Hindu devotee waits on February 11 as people move through the site of Sunday's stampede in Allahabad, India. Tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims flock to the banks of the Ganges River for what is thought to be the world's largest religious gathering.
Photos: Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival
Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A Hindu devotee waits on February 11 as people move through the site of Sunday's stampede in Allahabad, India. Tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims flock to the banks of the Ganges River for what is thought to be the world's largest religious gathering.
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Hospital attendants wheel in a woman injured in the stampede in Allahabad on Sunday, February 10. The stampede occurred about 7 p.m. after someone fell from a platform bridge in Allahabad, the scene of this year's Kumbh Mela festival, North-Central Railway spokesman Sandeep Mathur said. He said the station was overcrowded with pilgrims, but denied reports that the bridge had collapsed.
Photos: Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival
Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – Hospital attendants wheel in a woman injured in the stampede in Allahabad on Sunday, February 10. The stampede occurred about 7 p.m. after someone fell from a platform bridge in Allahabad, the scene of this year's Kumbh Mela festival, North-Central Railway spokesman Sandeep Mathur said. He said the station was overcrowded with pilgrims, but denied reports that the bridge had collapsed.
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A man talks from the Railway Hospital in Allahabad on February 10.
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Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A man talks from the Railway Hospital in Allahabad on February 10.
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Hindu devotees pray as they bathe in the Sangam -- the confluence of the Yamuna, Ganges and mythical Saraswati rivers -- at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, on Sunday, February 10.
Photos: Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival
World's biggest religious festival – Hindu devotees pray as they bathe in the Sangam -- the confluence of the Yamuna, Ganges and mythical Saraswati rivers -- at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, on Sunday, February 10.
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Hindu devotees hold offerings during a blessing ceremony on the banks of the Sangam on February 10.
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World's biggest religious festival – Hindu devotees hold offerings during a blessing ceremony on the banks of the Sangam on February 10.
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An Indian woman holds up the corners of two saris to dry on the banks of the Sangam on February 10.
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World's biggest religious festival – An Indian woman holds up the corners of two saris to dry on the banks of the Sangam on February 10.
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A naga sadhu, or holy man, shows off his 'jata' (long hair) as he marches to the Sangam on February 10. Naked saints covered with ash led the ritual bathing before dawn.
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World's biggest religious festival – A naga sadhu, or holy man, shows off his 'jata' (long hair) as he marches to the Sangam on February 10. Naked saints covered with ash led the ritual bathing before dawn.
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An Indian devotee holds her child as a man shaves his head on February 9.
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World's biggest religious festival – An Indian devotee holds her child as a man shaves his head on February 9.
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Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangam on February 9.
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World's biggest religious festival – Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangam on February 9.
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A devotee bathes in the Sangam on February 9.
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World's biggest religious festival – A devotee bathes in the Sangam on February 9.
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A Sadhu, or holy man, covers his face in ash at the grounds of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on February 9.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Sadhu, or holy man, covers his face in ash at the grounds of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on February 9.
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Devotees warm themselves early in the morning before taking a bath on the banks of Sangam on February 9.
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World's biggest religious festival – Devotees warm themselves early in the morning before taking a bath on the banks of Sangam on February 9.
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A father lifts his son out of the waters of the Sangam on Friday, February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – A father lifts his son out of the waters of the Sangam on Friday, February 8.
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A Sadhvi, or holy woman, sits inside her tent on February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Sadhvi, or holy woman, sits inside her tent on February 8.
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An Indian Hindu devotee dries her sari in the wind as she stands near a billboard showing Hindu gurus in Allahabad, India, on February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – An Indian Hindu devotee dries her sari in the wind as she stands near a billboard showing Hindu gurus in Allahabad, India, on February 8.
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Indian devotees stand in front of a painting depicting Hindu gods during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival on February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – Indian devotees stand in front of a painting depicting Hindu gods during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival on February 8.
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Devotees line up to receive a free meal near women drying saris on February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – Devotees line up to receive a free meal near women drying saris on February 8.
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A Hindu volunteer serves meals at one of the hundreds of camps set up by religious groups during the festival on February 8.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Hindu volunteer serves meals at one of the hundreds of camps set up by religious groups during the festival on February 8.
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A devotee takes a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna and the mythic Saraswati on February 7.
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World's biggest religious festival – A devotee takes a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna and the mythic Saraswati on February 7.
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Newly initiated Naga Sadhus, translated "naked holy men," prepare to perform rituals on the banks of the Ganges River on February 6. The men wear little to no clothing during the rituals, which include running into the river to bathe.
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World's biggest religious festival – Newly initiated Naga Sadhus, translated "naked holy men," prepare to perform rituals on the banks of the Ganges River on February 6. The men wear little to no clothing during the rituals, which include running into the river to bathe.
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Naga Sadhus perform rituals on the bank of the Ganges River on January 30.
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World's biggest religious festival – Naga Sadhus perform rituals on the bank of the Ganges River on January 30.
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A Naga Sadhu reflects after performing evening rituals at the Akhara camp on January 29.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Naga Sadhu reflects after performing evening rituals at the Akhara camp on January 29.
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A Sadhu prays as he sits on the banks of Sangam.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Sadhu prays as he sits on the banks of Sangam.
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Foreign devotees participate in yoga on the banks of the Sangam on January 16.
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World's biggest religious festival – Foreign devotees participate in yoga on the banks of the Sangam on January 16.
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A Sadhu makes his way toward the banks of Sangam on January 15.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Sadhu makes his way toward the banks of Sangam on January 15.
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Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of Sangam on January 15.
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World's biggest religious festival – Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of Sangam on January 15.
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Devotees bathe in the waters of the Ganges.
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World's biggest religious festival – Devotees bathe in the waters of the Ganges.
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Naga Sadhus run into the waters of the Ganges River during the bathing day of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14.
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World's biggest religious festival – Naga Sadhus run into the waters of the Ganges River during the bathing day of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14.
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A Sadhu pours water from a conch shell as he prays on the banks of the Ganges river.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Sadhu pours water from a conch shell as he prays on the banks of the Ganges river.
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A boy reacts as water is poured over his head at the edge of the Sangam.
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World's biggest religious festival – A boy reacts as water is poured over his head at the edge of the Sangam.
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A Hindu devotee holds out a saree to dry after having bathed on the banks of the Ganges river on January 13.
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World's biggest religious festival – A Hindu devotee holds out a saree to dry after having bathed on the banks of the Ganges river on January 13.
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Devotees walk into the waters at the Sangam in Allahabad on January 13.
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World's biggest religious festival – Devotees walk into the waters at the Sangam in Allahabad on January 13.
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A devotee prays at day break while taking a dip at the Sangam on January 13.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A devotee prays at day break while taking a dip at the Sangam on January 13.
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A Sadhu looks in a mirror as he applies paint to his forehead moments after taking a dip in the Ganges river in Allahabad during the beginning of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 13.
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Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival – A Sadhu looks in a mirror as he applies paint to his forehead moments after taking a dip in the Ganges river in Allahabad during the beginning of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 13.
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Sunday was the main day for bathing of the 55-day Kumbh Mela. In Hindu mythology, Allahabad is one of the four places where drops of the "nectar of immortality" contained in a pitcher fell to earth as gods and demons fought for it.
The holy bathing began on Saturday afternoon and peaked after midnight, festival official Satish Kumar Sharma said.
More than 12,000 police officers were guarding the nearly 20-square-kilometer (7.7-square-mile) site, India's government said.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was "deeply shocked" by the deaths and promised to extend "all possible help" to state authorities.
"I send my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wish those injured a speedy recovery," Singh said in a statement issued by his office. He pledged that those injured and the families of those killed would receive compensation.