One of the world’s largest religious festivals, the Hindu festival known as "Kumbh Mela," experienced a stampede at the event venue in India. At least 15 people were reported dead, and dozens were injured.

Hindu pilgrims gather on the 29th (local time) at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

According to local media and AFP on the 29th (local time), the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on that day in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, northern India, as thousands gathered, leading to the collapse of barriers.

Following the incident, with 15 people dead and dozens injured, some in critical condition, organizers canceled the events scheduled for that day. The Kumbh Mela opened in Prayagraj on the 13th of last month.

The event, which runs for 45 days until the 26th of this month, involves Hindu pilgrims participating by bathing in the confluence of the holy Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Hindus believe that bathing purifies them of sins and liberates them from the cycle of reincarnation. Indian authorities estimated that a total of 450 million people will visit the event area during this festival period.

Stampedes frequently occur during religious events in India. Last July, a stampede at a Hindu event in Uttar Pradesh resulted in 116 fatalities.