Mahakumbh Stampede in Prayagraj: 15 Feared Dead, 70 Injured on Mauni Amavasya

PRAYAGRAJ: At least 15 people are feared dead, and more than 70 others have been injured in a stampede that broke out at the Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on the morning of January 29, 2025.

The incident occurred during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, a major Hindu pilgrimage, as tens of thousands of devotees gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga River on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

The stampede occurred around 2:30 am as pilgrims, taking part in the 'second Shahi snan' or royal bath, were reported to have streamed down to the ghats at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers.

The stampede-like situation reportedly followed after the barriers were broken. According to local reports, at least 14 bodies have been brought to the Swaroop Rani Medical College, while several others are undergoing treatment.

Ambulances were sent to the area immediately, and the injured were rushed to a central hospital near Mela grounds. Casualty figures remain yet unknown, but a doctor quoted by news agency AFP says that 15 people died in the incident. Some of the victims brought to the hospital were in critical condition, according to reports, and it even had half of them died. However, no official has commented on this yet.

Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana, speaking to news agency ANI described the situation as "not serious" despite the stampede-like scenario. "On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arises after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured and are under treatment," she said earlier.

The chaos occurred on one of the busiest days of the Mahakumbh, as millions of devotees had gathered for the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya. The crowd at the Sangam was overwhelming, and local authorities struggled to control the massive influx of people. Despite all security and crowd-control measures put in place ahead of the event, the sheer number of people did present some challenges in maintaining order.

The Uttar Pradesh government had estimated about 10 crore (100 million) people to attend the Mahakumbh at the Mauni Amavasya. Authorities had issued advisories to devotees not to believe any misinformation and to treat the ghats with reverence because a crowd management system was already strained.

As investigations into what caused the stampede continue to unravel, so too do attention and management about the aftermath to ensure that the remaining pilgrims are well taken care of at the grounds. Although the casualties are yet not confirmed, locals are doing very much to come up with various aids for victims.

This tragic incident is a reminder of the difficulties of crowd management in large religious events and the importance of safety measures to avoid such incidents in the future.