Prayagraj – At least 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday, January 29. The incident occurred at the Sangam area as crores of devotees gathered to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred bathing days of the festival.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna confirmed the death toll during a press conference in Prayagraj. He stated that the situation had been brought under control and that authorities were ensuring smooth crowd management for the remaining events of the Mahakumbh.
Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede was triggered by a sudden rush of devotees attempting to move towards the riverbanks for the Amrit Snan (holy dip). The overwhelming crowd pressure led to chaos, resulting in people getting trampled. Emergency responders, including medical teams and police personnel, were immediately deployed to the site to assist the injured and restore order.
Despite the tragedy, the Mahakumbh rituals continue, with the Juna Akhara and two other Akharas proceeding with their scheduled Amrit Snan at the Triveni Sangam. Authorities have urged devotees to follow safety protocols and avoid overcrowding at the ghats.
The Uttar Pradesh government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Further updates on compensation for victims’ families and additional safety measures are expected soon.
