At least 40 killed in stampede at India's Kumbh festival during holy dip

At least 40 people are dead and many injured after a stampede erupted at Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India.

The stampede occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Jan 29) when tens of millions Hindus gathered in the city of Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh for the world's largest religious gathering.

According to reports, the stampede was triggered when worshippers rushed to take ritual baths in sacred rivers, which they believe will cleanse them of their past sins and end their process of reincarnation.

Video from the scene shows a seemingly endless line of frantic crowds trying to climb out of the overcrowded walkway in an attempt to disperse.