At least 17 people were killed and many more injured in a stampede at India's Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering, a doctor at a government hospital said, as tens of thousands of pilgrims rushed to dip in sacred river waters during the Hindu event.

In Prayagraj, millions of Hindus gathered for the Maha Kumbh festival after a tragic stampede. Despite concerns, pilgrims continue prayerful rituals, while authorities investigate and improve crowd control measures.