At least 30 people died and 90 others were injured in a pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Festival in north Indian city of Prayagraj on Wednesday where thousands of pilgrims had assembled to take a dip in the sacred water on an occasion considered to be holy by Hindus, police said.
Thousands had gathered at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, to take a dip in the sacred water on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya (new moon).
“30 people have lost their lives in the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place between 1-2 am. 25 people have been identified and the identification of the remaining 5 is being done,” DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna
In several videos, multiple bodies were seen lying on the ground as people rushed to flee the spot.
People left their belongings on the ground as they looked for an exit from the scene alive.
Prime minister Narendra Modi, who is also scheduled to take a holy bath next month, confirmed the death in an X post and said he was in constant touch with the regional administration.
The prime minister posted on X, “The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured.
The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government.”
Some of the seers have blamed the administration for prioritising VIPs instead of looking after the preparations for the Hindu festival.
“The administration was busy serving the VIPs. I saw that every VIP that attended the Maha Kumbh, the administration was busy just catering to them, it was not bothered with any preparations for the Kumbh,” religious leader Premanand Puri said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, boxing icon Mary Kom, American billionaire businessman Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell Jobs were among the VIPs who attended the festival.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the situation was under control and urged people to not spread rumours resulting in further losses.
Maha Kumbh-2025, dear devotees come to Prayagraj. Take bath at the ghat of Mother Ganga near which you are, do not try to go towards Sangam Nose.
“All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements. People are bathing peacefully at all the ghats of Sangam. Do not pay any attention to any rumours,” the CM said on X.
Akharas, the sect of ash-smeared holy men called sadhus, had initially called off their scheduled holy dip on Wednesday but later decided to withdraw the decision in the wake of the stabilisation of the situation.
Attended by sadhus, ascetics, pilgrims, the Kumbh Mela is the Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years.
The Maha Kumbh or Grand Kumbh is held every 144 years. This year’s Maha Kumbh is significant as it coincides with the 12th Kumbh Mela.
