10 Kumbh devotees killed in Prayagraj-Mirzapur highway collision
What's the story
In a tragic incident, 10 Maha Kumbh devotees lost their lives in a deadly road accident on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur highway.
The accident took place around midnight when a car, carrying pilgrims from Korba, Chhattisgarh, collided with a bus full of devotees from Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh.
"Ten people died after a car carrying devotees from Chhattisgarh to the Maha Kumbh collided with a bus," confirmed Prayagraj Additional SP Vivek Chandra Yadav.
Casualties and aftermath
Accident results in 19 injuries, bodies sent for post-mortem
The tragic collision also left 19 others injured.
The deceased were traveling in the car, on their way to take a holy dip at the Sangam, a sacred confluence of rivers in Prayagraj.
The bodies have since been sent to Swaroop Rani Medical Hospital for post-mortem examinations after the accident, Yadav said.
Government response
UP CM directs officials to expedite relief efforts
In the wake of the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to expedite relief work and ensure proper medical treatment of the injured.
He also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and hoped for a speedy recovery of those injured in this incident.
Event tragedies
Series of accidents mar Maha Kumbh event
This incident is the latest in a string of accidents involving Maha Kumbh pilgrims.
Earlier this week, seven Andhra Pradesh pilgrims died in a vehicle collision with a truck in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district.
Three others also lost their lives when a bus carrying Maha Kumbh pilgrims crashed into a truck in Rajasthan's Kota.
Event overview
Maha Kumbh witnesses high attendance despite accidents
The Maha Kumbh, which started on January 13 and will end on February 26, has witnessed huge attendance despite these tragic incidents. Over 92 lakh devotees attended the event on Friday alone.
However, the spiritual gathering has been marred by accidents including a deadly stampede on January 29 which left 30 dead and many injured.