Maha Kumbh tragedy: Stampede in Prayagraj leaves multiple fatalities; CM Yogi and PM Modi monitor situation

Tragedy strikes Maha Kumbh mela

A tragic stampede occurred at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, as millions of Hindu pilgrims gathered for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya (New Moon). Several people were feared dead, and many others were injured after a barrier collapsed, leading to chaos and a crush of devotees at the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Stampede sparks panic amid record pilgrim turnout

The stampede took place around 2 PM, as tens of thousands of devotees rushed towards the Sangam for the ritual bath. Distressed families gathered outside makeshift hospitals searching for their missing relatives, while rescue teams and law enforcement struggled to control the massive crowd. Clothes, blankets, and personal belongings were scattered at the scene, highlighting the scale of the chaos.

Reports suggested at least 10 deaths, though official confirmation was awaited. Despite the incident, millions of devotees continued arriving at the Kumbh site, ignoring warnings from authorities urging them to use alternative riverbanks.

CM Yogi, PM Modi monitor situation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a press conference, confirming that some injured pilgrims were in critical condition but assured that the situation was under control.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi called four times to monitor the situation. During his call with CM Yogi, PM Modi called for immediate support measures.
• Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda have also been in touch with UP authorities.
• CM Yogi urged devotees to avoid rumors and follow the administration’s instructions.

Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya & Akharas appeal for caution

Prominent Hindu religious leaders have urged pilgrims to avoid crowding at the Sangam:

• Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Ji appealed to devotees to remain in their camps instead of pushing towards the crowded ghat.
• Kailashananda Giri of the Panchayati Niranjani Akhara said that the akhara council will hold the Shahi Snan on February 2 on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
• Various Akharas requested pilgrims to use the nearest ghats for their holy dip instead of rushing to the Sangam Nose.

#WATCH | Maha Kumbh Stampede | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Ji says, “I appeal to all the devotees that because a large crowd has gathered in Prayagraj today, they should not insist on taking a holy dip only at the Sangam Ghat. As of now, they should… pic.twitter.com/KV7KZ9ptfn

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

The Maha Kumbh festival, which occurs every 12 years, is the largest religious gathering in the world. Authorities estimate over 400 million pilgrims will visit Prayagraj throughout the six-week event, with nearly 150 million already attending since its commencement on January 13, 2025.

Historical stampedes at Kumbh mela

Stampedes at Kumbh Mela are not uncommon due to overcrowding and inadequate safety measures. Here are some past incidents:

• 1954: A stampede on February 3 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) during Mauni Amavasya killed nearly 800 people, making it one of the deadliest in India’s history.
• 1986: A stampede in Haridwar during a VIP visit resulted in at least 200 deaths as security restrictions led to a panic-induced crush.
• 2003: A stampede in Nashik during the Kumbh Mela at the Godavari River claimed 39 lives, with over 100 injured.
• 2013: A bridge collapse at Allahabad train station during Kumbh led to a stampede that killed 42 people and left 45 injured.

Massive security measures in place

With safety concerns, authorities deployed 50,000 security personnel and installed 2,500+ AI-powered cameras for real-time crowd monitoring. A sprawling tent city with 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets, and 11 hospitals was established to accommodate the surge in visitors.

Despite these efforts, overcrowding remains a serious challenge. The 2025 Maha Kumbh festival is expected to draw over 400 million pilgrims, making it the largest religious gathering in the world.

Rescue operations underway

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with injured pilgrims transported to hospitals for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the barrier collapse and assessing further safety measures.

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing need for better crowd control and infrastructure planning at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

Government assures safety as ‘Amrit Snan’ continues

CM Yogi Adityanath confirmed that despite the stampede, the ‘Amrit Snan’ (Royal Bath) on Mauni Amavasya will continue. The UP government and Central agencies remain on high alert to prevent further incidents.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the barrier collapse and exploring additional safety measures to ensure smooth operations for the remainder of the festival.

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