Tragic Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya

A devastating stampede occurred at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday as massive crowds gathered to take a holy dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya. This day, regarded as one of the most sacred of the event, saw lakhs of devotees flock to the site. Following the incident, a fleet of ambulances rushed to the ghat, transporting the injured to the central hospital within the Mela grounds for urgent medical care. Sources, speaking anonymously to Hindustan Times, confirmed that at least 15 bodies had been brought to the hospital.

As the crowd pressure surged due to the Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’, the Mela administration had to step in, redirecting people away from the site. Drone footage captured the overwhelming influx of devotees arriving before dawn. The stampede reportedly started when crowd control barriers collapsed, triggering panic as people scrambled to find exits. Witnesses described horrific scenes of individuals being trampled, with women and children among the most affected.

In response to the crisis, emergency services, including a unit from the Rapid Action Force, were deployed to manage the situation and assist the injured. Ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene, transporting victims to nearby hospitals. Distressed families gathered outside medical facilities, anxiously seeking news of their missing loved ones.

PM Modi monitors situation

An official stated, "PM Modi spoke with Yogi Ji regarding the situation at the Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and emphasized the need for immediate support measures."

Anticipating a turnout of around 10 crore devotees for the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya, the Uttar Pradesh government had already enhanced security and crowd management efforts in the region.

To prevent overcrowding and misinformation, the government issued an advisory urging devotees to consider all ghats as sacred as the Sangam and to avoid unnecessary panic. As part of the celebrations, the administration will shower 25 quintals of rose petals on devotees from helicopters.

As part of heightened security measures, personnel have been stationed across every corner of the Mela grounds, with AI-powered CCTV cameras and drones monitoring the area in real time.

Additionally, the Prayagraj authorities have designated the Mela zone as a no-vehicle area for the next few days. Officials have urged local residents to refrain from using four-wheelers and, if necessary, to opt for two-wheelers only when transporting senior citizens to the Sangam.

The Amrit Snan (formerly known as Shahi Snan) is the most significant and sacred ritual of the Maha Kumbh Mela, attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world.

Mauni Amavasya holds the highest spiritual significance among all special bathing dates, as it is believed that on this day, the waters of the holy rivers transform into Amrit (nectar of immortality).

Maha Kumbh Stampede: Chaos Erupts as Crowd Surge Near Sangam Leads to Panic

As crores of devotees flocked to  Prayagraj for the Amrit Snan, a surge in the crowd about a kilometer from the Triveni Sangam led to a chaotic situation. The mounting pressure caused barricades to topple, resulting in several women fainting. Reports suggest that the fall of unconscious women triggered panic among the crowd, escalating into a stampede.

An eyewitness recounted that the incident occurred around 2:30 AM, when a large number of devotees arrived at the banks of the Sangam. The confusion arose as people were unsure of where to go after taking the holy dip. Nearly five crore people had already arrived a day before the second Amrit Snan, with the crowd expected to swell to 10 crore on the day itself.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the situation at the Kumbh, stressing the need for immediate support measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.

Public address systems across the area were making announcements urging devotees to clear the ghats after their holy dip to accommodate others. Amid the chaos, many people left without completing their ritual bath on this auspicious day.

Ambulances were promptly dispatched to the spot, and the injured were taken to a temporary hospital in Sector 2 of the Kumbh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the devotees, urging them to take the holy dip at the nearest ghat and to follow the administration’s instructions, warning them not to pay attention to rumors and cooperate in maintaining order.

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