At 1 in the morning, we join the flow of humanity. We were 30 meters from the stage of the photographers when the crowd suddenly stopped: “Write to the photographers of Toi Basabdatta Sarkar and Krishna Roy.” There was a setback, followed by shouts … The sacred songs turned to the screams of help. ”
Since we arrived on Sunday to Prayagraj, all we hear were the songs of “Har Gango” and “Har Mahadev” when millions of devotees went to Triveni Sangam. Everything drawn by the faith that bathing in sacred waters can lead to salvation.
On Wednesday, we knew, it was the big day, Mauni Amavasya, the most auspicious of the six dates for Amrit Snan. Millions of faithful were expected. Although there were six ghats, it was Sangam that attracted everyone. There was a short window until 4 in the morning for the devotees before Sadhus could access the river.
At 1 in the morning, we join the flow of humanity, not to bathe, but to reach a photographer platform, hoping to capture the scale of this great spiritual meeting. We were just 30 meters from the stage when the crowd suddenly stopped. A strong setback arrived, followed by penetrating screams. First women, then children and men. “Something must have happened. Is it a stampede?” It was our first thought.
When Panic took over, people ran in all directions. We ran to the platform and somehow we climb. From there, we saw a sea of heads down and down, and some were suddenly trapped and disappearing. The sacred songs had been replaced by shouts desperate for help.
Soon, police whistles, ambulance sirens and the view of the RAF staff and the mounted police filled the air. He felt an eternity before ambulances finally left, taking the dead and wounded. The consequences were disturbing: a mysterious silence, broken only by the occasional cries of children, lots of discarded clothes, footwear and bags covered the ground, more than we had seen in our lives. We just expected anyone to be caught under them.
We gather our thoughts and cameras. We had come to capture vignettes from a vibrant spiritual celebration. We go with frames of a heartbreaking tragedy.