Unveiling the Tragedy: The Hidden Toll of the Kumbh Mela Crowd Crush

Wed Oct 22 2025 11:33:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A BBC investigation exposes the alarming discrepancies in the death toll and compensation for victims of the Kumbh Mela crush, revealing a darker side to India's largest religious festival.

A recent BBC Hindi investigation has uncovered evidence that the official death count from the Kumbh Mela crowd crush is significantly understated. While the government acknowledges 37 deaths, the report reveals 26 additional cases where families were compensated, as well as 18 unrecognized deaths. The inquiry raises critical questions about accountability and transparency in one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

A BBC Hindi investigation has brought to light significant discrepancies regarding the deadly crowd crush that occurred at the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world. Officially, Indian authorities have acknowledged 37 fatalities, but further probing by the BBC has uncovered an alarming reality: 26 additional families received compensation payments, while 18 more cases exist where no compensation was provided at all.

On the 25th of March, a team of plain-clothed officers from Uttar Pradesh (UP) arrived in Bihar with substantial cash payouts for victims' families. Among them was 62-year-old Tara Devi's family. They were given 500,000 rupees ($5,758; £4,291) at their home. Tara's son confirmed that the payment was a part of a larger compensation package promised to families of the deceased.

Despite UP's affirmation that they have compensated families of 35 of the reported victims — excluding one unidentified individual and one without legal heirs — the BBC investigation cast a wider net. The investigation recently identified a family who received a cheque for 2.5 million rupees, alongside 26 others who merely received 500,000 rupees in cash at their homes. Strikingly, many grieving families were asked to sign documents attributing their loved ones' deaths to existing health issues, despite insistence that they perished in the crush.

In the wake of the incident, the BBC engaged with over 100 families across 11 Indian states, verifying 82 deaths linked to the disaster and uncovering evidence of four separate crush incidents on the same day. Multiple eyewitness accounts illustrated varying locations of fatalities that diverge from the government's assertion that only one occurred at Sangam Nose, a significant bathing spot for pilgrims.

Despite the ongoing investigation, UP's officials have remained largely unresponsive. Attempts to contact local government representatives have proven futile, stalling any accountability for the mishandling of compensation and victim acknowledgment.

Among those affected were the family of Dharmraj Rajbhar, who received 500,000 rupees for both his wife and daughter-in-law, but remarked on the inadequacy of such reparations compared to what was promised. Other families have shared heart-wrenching accounts, sitting with their deceased relatives until late in the day before any official assistance arrived.

Many continue to fight for recognition, like Bhagirathi Gond, whose father’s death remains unacknowledged, highlighting the frustration faced by families as they navigate bureaucratic barriers to secure compensation.

The Kumbh Mela, while celebrated for its cultural and religious significance, now faces a serious question of integrity and care. This tragic event underscores the urgent need for reforms, transparency, and proper accountability in the administration of public safety during mass gatherings. In doing so, it's crucial to highlight the voices of the families now thrusted into mourning and struggle, amplifying their plight amidst a monumental festival.