Key Highlights:
- Stampede Tragedy: A stampede occurred at Sangam Ghat during the Maha Kumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya night, injuring dozens of devotees and reportedly causing 20-25 casualties.
- Crowd Surge at Sangam: Despite having 45 bathing ghats for pilgrims, a massive crowd insisted on bathing at the main Sangam, leading to chaos and the collapse of barricades.
- Emergency Response: Injured individuals were rushed to the Central Hospital of Maha Kumbh via ambulances. The accident site has been cleared, and additional security forces have been deployed to manage the crowd.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Local reporter, who was injured himself, described the horrifying scene of suffocating crowds, screams, and people falling as the stampede spread.
- Revised Arrangements: Following the incident, the administration has implemented a crowd diversion plan, stopping new arrivals in the city and redirecting pilgrims outside the fair area.
Prayagraj: Tragedy struck the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 on the night of Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest bathing days in Hindu tradition, as a massive crowd surge at the Sangam Ghat caused a stampede that left dozens injured and reportedly claimed 20-25 lives. The chilling incident occurred at 1 a.m., as thousands of devotees rushed to bathe in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Despite the creation of 45 ghats for bathing this year to accommodate the huge influx of pilgrims, many devotees were adamant about bathing only at the main Sangam, resulting in a chaotic buildup at the ghat.
How the Stampede Unfolded
As the clock struck midnight, the crowd began swelling uncontrollably at the main Sangam Ghat, causing panic among pilgrims. Eyewitnesses described how people started pushing forward, breaking the barricades meant to control the crowd.
Local reporter Rajneesh Yadav, who was on-site during the tragedy, recounted, “The scene was horrifying. Women and elderly people began suffocating as the crowd pushed forward. Barricades broke, and people began falling on each other. There were screams everywhere.”
It is believed that some women in the crowd fainted due to suffocation, which triggered the stampede as others tried to escape, resulting in further injuries and chaos. Emergency responders eventually reached the site and evacuated the area, but belongings like slippers and bags were seen scattered all over the ghat, bearing testimony to the panic that unfolded.
Emergency Response and Casualty Management
Injuries and Evacuations:
- Dozens of injured pilgrims were rushed to the Maha Kumbh Central Hospital for immediate medical attention, supported by a fleet of ambulances.
- The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Prayagraj has been stationed at the mortuary house of the medical college, where families are being asked to identify the deceased.
Security Measures:
- Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed to Prayagraj Junction and other key locations to ensure law and order.
- Large groups of devotees were temporarily halted in the Civil Line area, and the entry of new pilgrims has been stopped until the situation stabilizes.
Changes in Arrangements at Maha Kumbh
Following the tragedy, the administration has made significant changes to the Maha Kumbh arrangements to prevent further incidents:
- Crowd Diversion Plan: Pilgrims are now being stopped outside Prayagraj and redirected to outer areas to manage the crowd density.
- Entry Restrictions: Access to the fair area has been temporarily suspended until safety measures are reinforced.
- Heightened Surveillance: More security forces have been deployed, and barricades are being strengthened to control movement at bathing ghats.
Mauni Amavasya: The Holiest Bathing Day
Mauni Amavasya, considered one of the holiest days for bathing in the Maha Kumbh, draws millions of devotees from across India and beyond. Pilgrims believe that taking a dip at the Sangam on this day cleanses sins and grants salvation, which is why the crowd at the Maha Kumbh is unusually massive on this occasion.
This year, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and will continue until February 26, has already seen record participation, with over 13 crore devotees visiting so far. The administration had anticipated large crowds for Mauni Amavasya and made elaborate arrangements with multiple ghats, but the overwhelming turnout led to the unfortunate stampede.
Eyewitness Account: “It Was a Scene of Complete Panic”
Local reporter, who was covering the event, was caught in the stampede and injured in the chaos. He shared his experience:
“I was standing near the barricades when the crowd started pushing forward. The barricades collapsed, and people started falling over each other. I saw women fainting, screaming for help. It was difficult to breathe. Somehow, I managed to get out of the crowd, but the situation was terrifying.”
Safety Concerns and Future Precautions
This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place for managing large crowds at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Despite the best efforts by the authorities, the sheer scale of the gathering makes crowd control a monumental challenge.
The administration has promised stricter measures and reassessment of its plans following the stampede, ensuring that no such incidents occur again during the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh.
A Sacred Day Marked by Tragedy
The Maha Kumbh 2025 stampede is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by overcrowding at religious events of this magnitude. While immediate action by the authorities prevented further casualties, the incident has cast a shadow on what was meant to be a spiritual and transformative experience for millions of devotees.
As investigations continue and safety plans are revised, the focus remains on preventing future incidents and ensuring that pilgrims can participate in the Maha Kumbh Mela with confidence and safety.
