Maha Kumbh and the lessons in crowd management

Pilgrims show photographs of their missing family members as they wait outside a mortuary to identify bodies following a crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj on January 30. AFP

In reference to The National report Maha Kumbh Mela: Nearly 40 feared dead in crowd crush at Indian festival (January 29): It was saddening to read about the casualties of the crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela, a grand festival held in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The incident that occurred on Wednesday was unfortunate and heartbreaking. While millions of devotees from various parts of India and abroad were able to participate in the festival in previous days, the crowd crush marred an otherwise peaceful gathering.

Despite the massive crowd, the local government, had till then managed the festival well. But this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges of ensuring safety at such large-scale events. The Indian prime minister expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the swift recovery of those injured.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, marks the convergence of sacred rivers and is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Despite extensive safety measures, such tragic events can still occur when crowd numbers become overwhelming. I pray for the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery and I hope for peaceful days ahead for the remainder of the festival.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Neymar came at a cost

With regard to Andy Lewis's piece Neymar: The astonishing numbers behind failed Al Hilal transfer (January 28): The numbers on this transfer were already astonishing. He didn't appear too often on the field. He scored, if I'm not mistaken, one goal, and all of that came at a price tag of $245 million. That sum of money could have gone a fair way to help eliminate world hunger.

Shahad N, Abu Dhabi

Questions remain about DC plane crash

With reference to The National report Washington DC plane crash: Many feared dead after jet hits helicopter over Potomac River (January 30): This is a terrifying incident. How does something like this happen, involving a Black Hawk helicopter? How does a military pilot of an American military vehicle make such an error? I'm wondering about all the drones in the vicinity and whether they could have affected the navigation systems. Eighteen bodies recovered. What an awful tragedy.

Siobhan K, Los Angeles

Helping the victims of war heal

With reference to the video Hospital in Jordan offers Gaza war survivors hope for recovery (January 30): It is heartening to read that at least some of these children who've survived such a brutal war are finally getting the medical support and treatment that they need.

Peter Kahn, Amman, Jordan