Special Correspondent
Prayagraj: A tragic stampede occurred at the Sangam Nose during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, resulting in the death of 17 devotees. Several others were injured in the incident.
The stampede took place during the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, a significant day for the Kumbh Mela, when millions of devotees had gathered for the ritual bath. The sudden surge in the crowd led to chaos, and 17 devotees lost their lives. The administration has confirmed the death toll so far.
Following the incident, the Sangam Nose area was thrown into disarray. Ambulances rushed to the spot immediately, and the bodies of the deceased were taken away. The injured were admitted to the central hospital within the Kumbh Mela premises.
The stampede occurred around 1:30 AM on Wednesday during the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan (holy bath) at the Sangam, where a massive crowd had gathered. Videos from the scene show police personnel rushing the injured to hospitals. Devotees affected by the stampede have raised questions about the management and arrangements at the Kumbh Mela.
Reports suggest that the stampede began when devotees heading for the holy bath tripped over people sleeping near the barricades. As some fell, others behind them continued to push forward, leading to a pile-up of people.
Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur commented on the incident, saying, “I did not go to the Sangam Ghat because it was too crowded. I urge people not to insist on bathing only at the Sangam Ghat. The entire Ganga and Yamuna rivers are considered ‘Amrit’ (nectar) during this time. Bathing anywhere will grant you the same blessings.”
The office of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging people not to pay attention to rumors. The post advised devotees to bathe at the ghats near Mother Ganga and avoid heading to the Sangam Nose. It also requested cooperation with the administration’s guidelines and emphasized the importance of maintaining order.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has appealed to the government to ensure proper arrangements for devotees and prevent such incidents in the future.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing Kumbh Mela, raising concerns about crowd management and safety measures at one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
