Tragic Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya

A horrific stampede broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, when massive crowds converged to take a holy dip in the Ganga on the sacred occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Considered the most auspicious day of the festival, the event drew lakhs of devotees, overwhelming the area despite extensive security arrangements.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as ambulances transported the injured to the central hospital within the Mela grounds for immediate treatment. According to sources cited by Hindustan Times, at least 15 bodies have been brought to the hospital so far.

Officials said the tragedy occurred during the Amrit Snan ritual when the crowd surged beyond control. The situation escalated after a section of the barricades gave way, triggering panic and chaos. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of people being crushed in the commotion, with women and children among the casualties.

Drone footage showed an enormous gathering that had begun forming well before dawn. As the situation deteriorated, authorities diverted devotees away from the main bathing area to prevent further incidents.

Teams from the Rapid Action Force and local police were deployed to restore order and assist rescue operations. Meanwhile, anxious families crowded outside hospitals, desperately searching for news of their missing relatives.

PM Modi Reviews Situation After Kumbh Mela Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation in Prayagraj following the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. An official statement confirmed that the Prime Minister spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation, review on-ground developments, and stress the importance of swift relief and rescue operations.

Expecting an estimated 10 crore devotees to attend the Mauni Amavasya snan (holy dip), the state government had already intensified security and crowd management measures across the region.

To ensure safety and prevent chaos, authorities issued an advisory urging devotees to treat all ghats as equally sacred as the Sangam and to avoid unnecessary rush or panic. As part of the festivities, the administration has also planned to shower 25 quintals of rose petals from helicopters over the pilgrims taking part in the holy ritual.

Maha Kumbh Stampede: Panic Erupts Near Sangam as Massive Crowd Surge Turns Chaotic

A wave of panic swept through the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj as an overwhelming crowd surge near the Triveni Sangam led to a tragic stampede during the Amrit Snan. The chaos unfolded roughly a kilometer from the sacred confluence when mounting crowd pressure caused barricades to collapse, leading to several women fainting. Witnesses said that the sight of unconscious devotees triggered widespread panic, sparking a stampede in the densely packed area.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident took place around 2:30 a.m., when thousands of devotees began arriving at the banks for their ritual bath. Confusion spread as people struggled to find space or exit routes after completing their dip. Officials estimated that nearly five crore pilgrims had already gathered a day before the second Amrit Snan, with the number expected to reach around ten crore on the main bathing day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation, emphasizing the need for swift relief measures and coordinated efforts to safeguard the devotees.

Throughout the Mela grounds, public address systems urged pilgrims to vacate the ghats promptly after their holy dip to prevent overcrowding. However, amid the panic, many left without completing the ritual.

Emergency services responded immediately—ambulances rushed to the scene, and the injured were taken to a temporary hospital set up in Sector 2 of the Kumbh area. Chief Minister Adityanath appealed to the devotees to remain calm, take the holy dip at nearby ghats, and follow administrative instructions. He also cautioned against believing rumors and urged everyone to cooperate with authorities to maintain order and safety.

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