Articles tagged with “sacredtooth”

Authorities in Sri Lanka urged Buddhist devotees to avoid visiting a sacred tooth relic in Kandy after four deaths and hundreds fell ill in overcrowded queues. The relic, believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, drew massive crowds, with lines stretching 10 km. Officials reported 450,000 people in queues on April 23, far exceeding the expected 200,000 daily visitors. Police warned that many in line might not even reach the temple before the exhibition ends on April 27. Hospitals treated over 300 people, with four fatalities confirmed. More than 2,000 fainting cases were handled by mobile health units. Authorities suspended extra trains to Kandy and deployed police to manage safety risks, including a bridge at risk of collapse. Parking shortages forced 32 buses to turn away. The relic's last public display in 2009 drew one million visitors. This year's exhibition surpassed two million visitors in just five days. Officials expressed concerns over sanitation and potential stampedes as crowds overwhelmed the city's infrastructure. The provincial governor emphasized efforts to prevent further incidents as the pilgrimage continues.

Authorities in Sri Lanka urged Buddhist devotees to avoid visiting a sacred tooth relic in Kandy after four deaths and hundreds fell ill amid massive crowds. Police reported queues stretching 10 kilometers as worshippers gathered to see the relic, believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, before its display ends Sunday. Officials estimated 450,000 people were in line Thursday, far exceeding the expected 200,000 daily visitors. Police warned that many may not reach the temple in time and appealed for no more arrivals. Over 300 people were hospitalized, with four fatalities, including an elderly woman, due to exhaustion and cramped conditions. More than 2,000 fainting cases were treated at mobile health units. Authorities expressed concerns over sanitation and potential stampedes. Additional trains to Kandy were halted, and police commandos redirected pilgrims from an overloaded bridge. Parking shortages forced 32 buses to turn away. The relic was last displayed in 2009, drawing a million visitors.