Maha Kumbh Stampede: 30 Dead, 60 Injured as Millions Turn Up for Holy Bath

Moneylife Digital Team 29 January 2025

Economy & Nation

As many as 30 are dead, with more than 60 injured after a stampede broke out at the Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on mauni amavasya, the most significant ritual during this period. Speaking with media, Vaibhav Krishna, deputy inspector general of police (DIG) in Uttar Pradesh (UP), says during the stampede that took place between 1am-2am, 90 people were injured, out of which 30 died.

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— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2025

At least 30 women are reportedly injured and are undergoing treatment at the central hospital established in the mela area.

In a post on X, Awadhesh Prasad, a member of Parliament (MP) from Samajwadi Party (SP), says the news of the death of more than 15 devotees and injuries of more than 50 devotees due to the stampede on the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad and heart-wrenching.

According to officials, a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on the occasion of mauni amavasya which led to a stampede-like situation and injured many.

The chaos ensued about a kilometre from the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers when barricades broke, causing panic among the devotees.

The rush of people led to several women fainting and, as they fell to the ground, a stampede-like situation emerged. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital located within the Maha Kumbh fairgrounds. Some of the more seriously injured are transferred to Bailey Hospital and Swaroop Rani Medical College for treatment.

Following the incident, the akharas have called off their traditional 'amrit snan' for mauni amavasya, even as devotees in large numbers continued to take a dip at Sangam and other ghats in the mela area.

Nirmohi Akhara and Akhil Bhartiya Shri Panch Digambar Ani Akhara announced their decision to refrain from participating in the amrit snan, citing the need to prevent further disorder and ensure safety.

Meanwhile, prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi spoke with UP chief minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath following the stampede-like incident at the Maha Kumbh. The PM called for immediate support measures.

The CM told PTI that there is pressure at Sangam nose. "Some devotees got injured trying to cross the barricade. They are getting treated. Some of them are seriously injured. The crowd started coming when mauni amavasya commenced. PM Modi is monitoring the situation since morning and called me four times so far. Home minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, and UP governor Anandiben Patel are taking constant reports. A high-level meeting is going on where the chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) are present. At present, the situation is in control in Prayagraj, but the pressure of crowd has been intact. I have also talked to saints and they said that devotees will take holy dip first and then they will take the dip."

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— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 29, 2025

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, saying, "During the Maha Kumbh, the news of the stampede on the banks of Tirthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-rending. Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured."

He also criticised the arrangements, adding, "Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this. Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, such arrangements are condemnable."

Comments

User

rangarao.ds

10 months ago

When devotion is weaponized for political gain and superstition overrides rationality, tragedies like the Sangam stampede become inevitable—not acts of divine will, but consequences of systemic failures and negligence. Until governance prioritizes lives over performance and delivery of the essentials and invests in rigorous planning over hollow symbolism, such suffering will remain a shameful cycle of devotion and despair irrespective of the party in power.