A stampede at a large public gathering in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has left several people dead and others injured, according to officials and eyewitness accounts. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when a massive crowd had assembled in the temporary township set up for the event.

Emergency responders were seen transporting bodies on stretchers, though the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed. A local official, speaking anonymously, reported that at least seven people had died, with around ten others injured. Authorities have yet to release an official toll.

The stampede reportedly began around 1 a.m. local time (1930 GMT), though the cause remains unclear. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with individuals attempting to flee, only to be caught in another surge at an exit. Some were forced to turn back towards a pontoon bridge that had been closed by authorities.

“I saw many people falling and getting walked on by the crowd... many children and women got lost, crying for help,” said Ravin, a visitor who had traveled from Mumbai for the event.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed to manage the situation, and emergency relief efforts were launched. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, directing officials to ensure swift relief and normalization.

The event had already seen an overwhelming turnout over the past two weeks, with officials estimating nearly 148 million attendees. Authorities had implemented extensive crowd management measures, including increased security, medical personnel, and AI-powered monitoring systems.

Despite precautions, the scale of the gathering presented significant logistical challenges. A similar incident had occurred in 2013, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 people.

Authorities urged attendees to follow safety guidelines and cooperate with crowd control measures to prevent further incidents. The event continued with adjustments to security arrangements to manage the flow of people more effectively.