NEW DELHI: A stampede broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, just ahead of the most significant ritual ‘Amrit Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya, which is expected to draw nearly 10 crore pilgrims from around the world. Later, UP Police said that 30 people were killed while 60 were injured.
In response to the tragic incident, the akharas have called off their traditional ‘Amrit Snan’, though large crowds of devotees continue to take holy dips at Sangam and other ghats within the Mela area.
Police issues helpline number: 1920
During a press briefing on the stampede situation, Police said that the Mela administration have issued helpline number 1920 for assistance to the devotees.
Additionally, giving details on the victims, DIG Kumbh Mela Vaibhav Krishna said, “Out of these (30 deceased), 25 have been identified while remaining five are yet to be identified. Some of these are from other states too… four from Karnataka, one from Assam, one from Gujarat… some injured devotees have been taken away by their relatives. 36 injured are undergoing treatment at the local medical college.”
PM Modi expresses condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences over the stampede incident in a message posted on X. PM Modi said: “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.”
Addressing a poll rally, later in the day, PM again expressed his sorrow over the stampede incident, “Tragedy at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj extremely saddening, my deepest condolences to devouts who have lost their family members,” he said in Delhi.
‘There was no way to escape’
The incident took place as massive crowds gathered at the Sangam and along the 12-km stretch of riverbanks designated for the Maha Kumbh.
Around 2am, the blaring sirens of ambulances and police vehicles rushing to the Sangam cut through the continuous chants of mantras and shlokas resonating from loudspeakers across the Kumbh Mela area.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments of the stampede.
Sarojini from Karnataka, who arrived with a group of 60 people in two buses, recounted the chaos. “We were nine people together when suddenly the crowd started pushing. We got trapped, many of us fell, and everything went out of control,” she said, weeping outside the hospital.
“There was no way to escape; people were pushing from all sides,” she told PTI.
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CM Adityanath takes stock of situation
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took to social media platform X, urging devotees at Maha Kumbh to adhere to administrative guidelines.
“Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj—Dear devotees, please take your holy bath at the ghat nearest to you and avoid heading towards the Sangam Nose. Follow all instructions issued by the administration and help maintain order,” he posted.
He further assured that bathing is ongoing at all ghats of the Sangam and cautioned, “Do not pay any attention to rumours.”
UP CM said, “The situation in Prayagraj is under control.” He also mentioned that 8-10 crore devotees were present on Mauni Amavasya, creating major pressure as large crowds moved toward Sangam Nose.
UP CM also held high-level meeting to address the situation. He also postponed his visit to Delhi for election campaigning to keep watch on the situation.
The prime minister remains in constant contact with the state government, having spoken with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath “four times” to assess the situation, as CM himself confirmed.
Akhara suspends ‘Amrit Snan’ following discussions with authorities
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) had decided to suspend the Amrit Snan, but the ritual was resumed later when situation got under control.
ABAP president Shri Mahant Ravindra Puri told TOI, “The administration has requested us to refrain from proceeding with the Amrit Snan, and we are complying, despite being prepared for the procession. In the public interest, all Akharas have agreed to forgo the Snan today.”
Sources revealed that the Mela administration is in ongoing discussions with ABAP regarding the Snan. Earlier, Puri expressed his sorrow over the incident at Sangam, saying, “We are deeply saddened by what happened. This is a sacrifice on our part, as we had eagerly anticipated this rare occasion after 144 years. However, we will now take the Amrit Snan on the third date, February 3.”
Religious leaders have urged devotees to avoid overcrowding at Sangam Nose and instead take a holy dip at the nearby ghats.
Heavy security deployed
A heavy police presence, including paramilitary forces, has been deployed at entry and exit points near the Triveni Sangam to manage the crowd.
Rapid action force personnel have been placed as lakhs of devotees gather at Triveni Sangam for Mauni Amavasya.
Maha Kumbh Mela district magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand has been patrolling the area to oversee safety measures for the devotees.
‘Half-baked arrangements’: Congress slams Yogi-led UP govt
Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over the Maha Kumbh stampede, calling it a “mismanagement accident” and saying the news of casualties was “very sad.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed the incident “heartbreaking,” offering condolences and blaming “half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, and mismanagement.” He charged the Adityanath-led UP government to “wake up and improve the system.”
Rahul Gandhi echoed similar concerns, stating that “mismanagement and VIP focus over common devotees caused this tragedy.” He urged authorities to act before more “Mahasnans” take place.
Former Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal called the incident “extremely sad,” praying for the victims and strength for their families.
‘Super 20’ team urges devotees to vacate ghats after holy dip
Authorities have stationed police personnel at seven static points along the corridor route to manage the flow of devotees during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
The “Super 20” team, tasked with crowd control at the ghats, is urging pilgrims to vacate the area after their holy dip.
Senior seers from Juna, Agni, and Aawahan akharas have decided to return to their camps and take their holy dip later in the day at the nearest ghat.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati cancels ‘samoohik snan’
Parmarth Niketan Ashram president Swami Chidanand Saraswati informed that he has cancelled all his programs and is heading to the Sangam to meet people and the victims.
Speaking to ANI, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, “As soon as I got to know about the stampede, we informed everyone at our camp that we would not do snan together today. Everyone is asked to take a dip at their nearest Ganga Ghat. We have cancelled ‘samoohik snan’. Everybody’s well-being and service shall be everyone’s priority right now. We have prayed for those who got injured in the incident. We have cancelled all our programs and are heading to the Sangam to meet people and the victims.”