Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede: Chaos at Sangam, more than 35 dead, death toll expected to rise
Prayagraj, January 29, 2025 – A tragic Maha Kumbh Mela stampede occurred at the holy Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday morning. Reports suggest that more than 35 people have lost their lives and more than 70 have been injured. Officials fear that the death toll may rise as the situation progresses.
The Maha Kumbh Mela stampede happened around 1:30 AM when millions of devotees gathered for the sacred Mauni Amavasya Snan (holy dip). Overcrowding, lack of proper crowd management and limited movement due to closed pontoon bridges are believed to have contributed to the disaster.
Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede: Overcrowding Leads to Tragedy
According to eyewitnesses, the massive rush of pilgrims led to congestion near Sangam. Many people got stuck in the barricades and fell down, leading to chaos. As confusion spread, a Maha Kumbh Mela stampede broke out, making it impossible for devotees to escape.
Moreover, the lack of separate entry and exit routes made the situation worse. Devotees entering and exiting through the same route led to a traffic jam, increasing the chances of people getting crushed in the crowd.
Rescue Operations Underway
After the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede, over 70 ambulances were rushed to the site to transport the injured and deceased to nearby hospitals. Authorities deployed National Security Guard (NSG) commandos to control the situation. The administration has now restricted entry into the Sangam area and stopped devotees from visiting nearby districts to prevent further chaos.
Despite the tragedy, the Mauni Amavasya snan continues, with an estimated 9 crore devotees expected to visit Prayagraj throughout the day. The administration expects 8 to 10 crore pilgrims to take a dip at 44 designated ghats before the day ends. Security measures have been further tightened, with over 60,000 personnel deployed across the city.
Government’s response and appeal for calm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured that he is in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government regarding rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to remain calm and take holy bath at alternate ghats, stressing that the holy Ganga flows throughout the region.
History of Stampedes at Religious Gatherings
The Maha Kumbh Mela stampede is a painful reminder of past tragedies at religious events in India.
- 2024, Hathras, UP: A stampede at a religious gathering led to over 100 deaths.
- 2023, Indore, MP: A temple well collapse killed 36 people during a religious event.
- 2022, Vaishno Devi, J&K: A rush of devotees resulted in 12 fatalities.
- 2015, Rajahmundry, AP: 27 pilgrims lost their lives during the Pushkaram festival.
- 2013, Datia, MP: 115 people were killed in a temple stampede.
- 2008, Jodhpur, Rajasthan: 250 devotees lost their lives due to a stampede triggered by a bomb scare.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety protocols at large religious events to prevent another Maha Kumbh Mela stampede.
This video is covered by “India Today News Channel”
Devotees Share Their Painful Experience
Survivors of the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede recall horrifying moments of being crushed under the weight of the crowd. In the chaos, many families got separated and people rushed to the Khoya Paya Centre in search of missing relatives. Many women and elderly devotees fainted due to suffocation and exhaustion.
Officials have urged people to remain alert, follow safety guidelines and cooperate with the authorities to prevent further accidents. As millions continue to participate in the Maha Kumbh Mela, the focus remains on ensuring safety and avoiding another Maha Kumbh Mela stampede.
A stampede occurred at Maha Kumbh, leaving at least 10 feared dead and several people injured. Over 10 crore devotees were expected to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya..#stampede #MahaKumbh2025 #mouniamavasya #PrayagrajMahakumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/lyvW2G9Bfu
— Priyathosh Agnihamsa (@priyathosh6447) January 29, 2025
Better infrastructure and planning needed
Experts argue that better infrastructure and planning could have prevented this Maha Kumbh Mela stampede. Massive religious gatherings require better traffic management, designated emergency exits, and real-time crowd monitoring. Ensuring proper barricades and widening entry and exit points can reduce the risk of overcrowding and stampedes to a great extent.
As India continues to witness massive religious congregations, authorities must implement strict safety measures to avoid another Maha Kumbh Mela stampede. The use of technology such as drones and AI-powered crowd analysis can help detect bottlenecks early. With proper planning, such unfortunate incidents can be prevented, ensuring the safety of millions of devotees who gather for spiritual experiences.
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