Multiple people were killed in a crowd crush at the world’s largest religious gathering in India early Wednesday, as tens of millions of devotees went to bathe in a river on one of the most sacred days of a Hindu festival.

More than seven people were killed and around 10 injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday, said an official, as tens of millions gathered to take a holy dip on the most auspicious day of the six-week Hindu festival.

As many as 10 crore devotees and pilgrims are expected to throng the Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj today for Amrit Snan in the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya. However, the auspicious day began with a tragedy as a stampede occurred in the wee hours,