Maha Kumbh Stampede: At Least 30 Dead, over 60 Injured
At least 30 people were killed and approximately 60 others injured in a stampede that occurred early Wednesday morning at the Mahakumbh Mela ground in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, according to a senior police officer.
New Delhi: At least 30 people were killed and approximately 60 others injured in a stampede that occurred early Wednesday morning at the Mahakumbh Mela ground in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, according to a senior police officer.
Table of Contents
Stampede Breaks Out at Akhara Marg
Vaibhav Krishna, the DIG overseeing the Mahakumbh festivities, confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that 25 of the deceased have been identified so far. The process of identifying the remaining victims is ongoing. The injured are currently being treated at nearby hospitals.
This marks the first official statement regarding the death toll and the number of injuries from the stampede that occurred before the Brahma Muhurta, during the early hours of the day. Political parties quickly expressed their condolences, although the exact number of casualties remained unclear initially.
Also Read: Stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, What Exactly Happened?
Details of the Incident
Speaking to the press, DIG Vaibhav Krishna explained that around 1-2 a.m., a massive crowd gathered at Akhara Marg in anticipation of the sacred dip at the Sangam. Due to the overwhelming number of devotees, barricades on the opposite side broke, causing chaos as people rushed to the river for the ritual.
Krishna confirmed that at least 90 people were transported to the hospital via ambulances, but tragically, 30 individuals lost their lives due to the stampede.
Victims From Assam, Gujarat, and Karnataka
The police officer also shared that some of the deceased were from Assam, Gujarat, and Karnataka, though the identities of other victims are still being determined.
Uttar Pradesh Government’s Response
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to saints, seers, Akharas, and Mahamandaleshwars to delay their dips by a few hours to help ease the crowd congestion.
The ‘Mauni Amavasya’ day is one of the most auspicious dates on the Hindu calendar, believed to be a day when the water of the holy river transforms into ‘Amrit.’ Pilgrims traditionally perform the sacred bath in silence, adding to the day’s spiritual significance.
