Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh during holy dip, several casualties reported
by ShravyaA chaotic stampede-like situation at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh left several injured, sparking fears of multiple casualties as crowds surged beyond control.
The incident took place in Triveni Sangam of Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, on January 29.
Visuals show a massive crowd in long queues, with some people jumping over barricades in an attempt to move ahead. Reporters captured footage of several individuals being carried away on stretchers by rescue teams.
According to reports, the chaos unfolded as crores of devotees streamed into the tent city ahead of the ‘Amrit Snan.’ Barricades placed about a kilometer away from the Sangam broke, leading to several women fainting. As they collapsed, panic spread, triggering the stampede-like situation. Some of the unconscious women were rushed to hospitals within the Maha Kumbh fairgrounds, while seriously injured victims were taken to Bailey Hospital and Swaroop Rani Medical College for treatment.
Pilgrims caught in the chaos described the ordeal: “Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell, and the crowd became uncontrollable,” said Sarojini from Karnataka, weeping outside the hospital.
Another woman, whose child suffered injuries, recounted, “There was nowhere to go. Some people who pushed us were laughing while we begged them to show kindness towards the children.”
Following the incident, authorities increased security measures across Prayagraj. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police personnel were deployed in greater numbers, particularly at Prayagraj Junction and key entry points to the Kumbh Mela. Strict crowd-control measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of devotees arriving for the Mauni Amavasya bath.
Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, Akanksha Rana, stated, “Some people have been injured and hospitalized after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to determine the exact number of casualties.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and directed immediate support measures. Authorities are using CCTV footage to analyze crowd movements and identify factors that contributed to the stampede.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, “The barricading system was not very effective in managing the crowd. Many devotees had to walk longer distances due to diversions, leading to frustration over the past few days. There were choke points, and during the Shahi Snan, the mounted police had to intervene to control the situation.”
In response to the incident, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad announced that seers have decided to call off their Amrit Snan for Mauni Amavasya. However, many devotees continued to take dips at Sangam and other ghats within the Mela area.
Authorities had previously issued crowd-management advisories, urging pilgrims to: Use designated lanes to reach the Sangam Ghat, stay within marked pathways, and avoid lingering at ghats after taking a dip, follow security instructions to prevent overcrowding.
However, despite these precautions, the overwhelming number of devotees led to the unfortunate turn of events.
An unnamed official confirmed, “More than seven people have been killed in the stampede, and around 10 others are injured.” While officials insist that only one stampede occurred at around 1 a.m., some witnesses claim that a second stampede took place near an exit as devotees tried to flee.
Ravin, a devotee from Mumbai, described the horror: “I saw many people falling and getting trampled… Women and children were crying for help.”
The authorities are now conducting a full investigation into the incident, with a focus on improving safety measures for the remainder of the Maha Kumbh.