Multiple casualties were feared after a stampede-like incident broke out at a Hindu religious festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, India's The Hindu newspaper reported early hours,

A stampede at the world's largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people with many more injured, a doctor at the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj told AFP Wednesday. More than 400 people died after being trampled or drowned at the Kumbh Mela on a single day of the festival in 1954,

A barrier reportedly broke during a holy bath, injuring several devotees at the world's largest religious gathering.

Multiple casualties were feared after a barrier broke at a Hindu religious festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, The Hindu newspaper reported, citing news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

A stampede on Wednesday (Jan 29) at the world's largest religious gathering in India killed at least 15 people, with many more injured, a doctor at the Maha Kumbh festival told

According to the Indian government, some 400 million people were expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, the most important religious event in Hinduism, held this year in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.

Days before India started its mammoth Kumbh Mela festival, a video showing preparations for a nighttime light show surfaced in social media posts that falsely linked it to the six-week Hindu event. The video was in fact originally published by a US-based drone show company and shows a Christmas celebration.

Several people have been injured in a stampede at India's Maha Kumbh festival, a religious event that began earlier this month and that occurs every 12 years. The festival is the biggest religious event in the world,