PRAYAGRAJ: The spiritual journey to Maha Kumbh proved to be the “final destination” for 54 devotees facing health issues. These deaths in the mela area since the world’s largest congregation began on Jan 13 do not include 30 pilgrims who died in the Mauni Amavasya stampede on Jan 29, reports Rajeev Mani.
The congregation also witnessed 13 babies being born at Central Hospital, one of 13 mela hospitals equipped with facilities to manage deliveries. “Most of these deaths could have occurred because the devotees had a history of respiratory ailmentsespecially in the post-Covid scenario. There is an acute shortage of oxygen at crowded places. Non-stop walk in extreme weather conditions can be fatal,” said a senior doctor at Maha Kumbh’s Central Hospital. The minimum temperature in Prayagraj was between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius in the latter half of January when such fatalities were higher.