59°Good Morning
In this aerial photo, smoke rises from a fire that...

In this aerial photo, smoke rises from a fire that engulfs a tented camp near the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati rivers during the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. Credit: AP/Rajesh Kumar Singh

NEW DELHI — A fire tore through at least 18 temporary tents at a massive Hindu festival thronged by millions of people in India’s northern Prayagraj city, officials said Sunday. There were no injuries.

The blaze was caused by the explosion of a gas cylinder and was contained by firefighters, police said.

Images from the sprawling tent city at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers showed smoke billowing out as dozens of firefighters doused the blaze.

The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, started last Monday and is the world's largest religious gathering. At least 77 million people are attending and authorities expected more than 400 million in total over the next six weeks.

Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence will cleanse them of their sins and release them from the cycle of rebirth.

To accommodate tens of thousands of holy men, pilgrims and tourists visiting the festival, authorities have built a sprawling tent city on the riverbanks. It's equipped with 3,000 kitchens and 150,000 toilets and also has roads, electricity and water, communication towers and 11 hospitals.

About 50,000 security personnel are stationed in the city to maintain law and order and crowd management.

In this aerial photo, smoke rises from a fire that...

In this aerial photo, smoke rises from a fire that engulfs a camp near the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati rivers during the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. Credit: AP/Rajesh Kumar Singh

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Markets take a dive ... DOT sec'y visits USMMA ... Top 100 lacrosse players Credit: Newsday

      Possible trial in officer's death ... Fatal chain-reaction crash ... FeedMe: All-you-can-eat sushi ... Top 100 lacrosse players

      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      Duration 0:00
      Loaded: 0%
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time 0:00
       
      1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • captions off, selected
          Markets take a dive ... DOT sec'y visits USMMA ... Top 100 lacrosse players Credit: Newsday

          Possible trial in officer's death ... Fatal chain-reaction crash ... FeedMe: All-you-can-eat sushi ... Top 100 lacrosse players

          SUBSCRIBE

          Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

          ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME