Uttar Pradesh DIG Vaibhav Krishna says 30 dead in Maha Kumbh stampede
January 29, 2025 6:50 pm
At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
The pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh broke out as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days.
DIG Vaibhav Krishna told a press conference here in the evening the stampede has left 30 dead and 60 others injured.
He said that 25 of the 30 killed have been identified. At least 36 people are undergoing treatment, while some have been sent with their families, the DIG added.
Amrit snan, the traditional bathing ritual of akharas that was deferred due to the stampede, was later resumed.
January 29, 2025 6:50 pm
January 29, 2025 4:40 pm
The West Bengal Chief Minister, while claiming that "at least 15 pilgrims" succumbed in the early morning stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh, offered her condolences to the bereaved families. Banerjee while taking to her X handle stated that her experiences of organising the annual Gangasagar Mela in Bengal warrant "maximal planning and care" to handle huge assemblies such as the Kumbh.
January 29, 2025 3:36 pm
Led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, the procession of akharas made its way on foot towards the Sangam for the snan. The procession, notably less grand than usual, began around 2:30 pm.
January 29, 2025 12:35 pm
Multiple casualties took place as a stampede broke out at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. While the Uttar Pradesh government was tight-lipped on the number of casualties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his deepest condolences to the devotees who lost their family members in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, describing the tragedy as extremely saddening. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said some devotees were "seriously injured". In a post on X, he said the local administration in Prayagraj is giving all possible help to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन श्रद्धालुओं ने अपने परिजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा हुआ है। इस सिलसिले में मैंने…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025 11:15 am
In the wake of the stampede at Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, several Akharas have decided to call off the 'Amrit Snan' of Mauni Amavasya and extend full cooperation to the administration to restore order. The tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday as millions of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam for the sacred holy dip. A sudden rush led to the collapse of barricades, triggering chaos and panic. Following the incident, Nirmohi Akhara and Akhil Bhartiya Shri Panch Digambar Ani Akhara announced their decision to refrain from participating in the Amrit Snan, citing the need to prevent further disorder and ensure safety. This followed Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri's announcement to call the 'Amrit Snan' following the tragic accident. "We stand with the administration in this difficult time and urge devotees to complete their snan peacefully and return home. No one is to be blamed at this moment. The matter is under investigation, and while some suspect a conspiracy, our priority is to support the authorities in managing the situation," he added. Akhil Bhartiya Shri Panch Digambar Ani Akhara chief Vaishnav Das Maharaj echoed similar sentiments, describing the incident as unfortunate. "Who is responsible for this, and where the lapse occurred, is for the government and administration to determine. From a spiritual perspective, we see this as a consequence of actions against nature. This is a natural disaster," he said. Emphasising the gravity of the situation, he added, "In such circumstances, how can we proceed with the holy dip? That is why the Akharas have decided to call off the snan. No one will oppose this, and no one will take a bath. The administration has nothing to do with this decision; only one official had come to inform us." Taking a veiled dig at the frequent VIP visits, he remarked, "Repeated VIP visits led to special arrangements for them, but similar arrangements were not made for the common people. Perhaps this is what led to such an unfortunate situation. However, the administration is now working to bring things under control."
January 29, 2025 11:01 am
Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath on Wednesday said the situation in Maha Kumbh was now under control and some devotees have been critically injured in the stampede. He also urged the people not to pay attention to the rumours. He said that around 8-10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj and there is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose. He said that around three crore people have taken a holy dip as of 8.30 a.m. The CM said this while speaking to the media in Lucknow even as the high-level meeting of top officials at his residence was ongoing. He expressed grief over the stampede-like situation in the Maha Kumbh Mela and said all assistance was being provided and the Maha Kumbh administration was alert.
January 29, 2025 11:01 am
Expressing grave concern on news of casualties in Mahakumbh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said “The news of casualties of devotees in an accident caused by mismanagement in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. We appeal to our government that the seriously injured should be taken to the nearest best hospitals with the help of air ambulance and immediate medical treatment should be provided. Arrangements should be made to identify the bodies of the deceased and hand them over to their relatives and send them to their place of residence. Urgent efforts should be made to reunite those who have been separated. Surveillance should be increased by making good use of helicopters. Keeping the unbroken tradition of 'Royal Bath' going on since the Satya Yuga, arrangements should be made to conduct the 'Royal Bath of Mauni Amavasya' amidst safe management parallel to relief work.” Yadav also appealed to the devotees to exercise restraint and patience in this difficult time and complete their pilgrimage peacefully. “The government should learn a lesson from today's incident and make additional arrangements for the stay, accommodation, food, water and other facilities of the devotees,” he said. BSP chief Mayawati also said the news of devotees losing lives and getting injured in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh at the Sangam site in Prayagraj is extremely sad and worrisome.
January 29, 2025 9:55 am
The Congress on Wednesday hit out at the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the "stampede-like" situation at the Sangam, demanding that the Maha Kumbh management be handed over to a better administrator than Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the movement of VVIPs there be stopped.
January 29, 2025 9:37 am
#WATCH | Prayagraj | Massive crowd of devotees continue to gather in Mahakumbh area to take holy dip in Triveni waters on Mauni Amavasya
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
1.75 crore people have taken holy dip today till 6 am; a total of 19.94 crore people have taken holy dip till 28th January, as per UP govt. pic.twitter.com/AsNs81fUa9
January 29, 2025 9:35 am
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the news of "many people losing their lives" and many people getting injured due to the stampede on the banks of the Tirthraj Sangam during the Maha Kumbh is extremely heartbreaking. "Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge tweets, "During the Maha Kumbh, the news of stampede on the banks of Teerthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-wrenching. Our deepest condolences to the families of the… pic.twitter.com/yWqWm6VwMt
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025 9:06 am
#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Rescue operations are underway after a stampede-like situation arose in Maha Kumbh and several people were reported injured. https://t.co/4z63F7pAS9 pic.twitter.com/YxZHXIoy51
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025 9:05 am
#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Drone visuals from the Ghats of Triveni as a huge number of devotees reach for the Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
Source: Mela Administration pic.twitter.com/FoQrbprWGK
January 29, 2025 9:04 am
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Parmarth Niketan Ashram President Swami Chidanand Saraswati says, "As soon as I got to know about the stampede, we informed everyone at our camp that we would not do snan together today. Everyone is asked to take a dip at their nearest Ganga Ghat. We have… pic.twitter.com/nqZVVGEk7g
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025 8:56 am
The Uttar Pradesh government expected 10 crore pilgrims to the Maha Kumbh in just one day and had stepped up security in preparation for the 'Amrit Snan'. The incident occurred as millions of devotees gathered for the holy dip, prompting the Akharas to temporarily postpone the event. The chaos ensued about a kilometre from the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, when barricades broke, causing panic among the
January 29, 2025 8:55 am
CM Yogi urged devotees to bathe at the ghat closest to them. He appealed to them not to go towards the Triveni Sangam for the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. The crowd Diversion Plan was implemented at Maha Kumbh and the entry of devotees was halted. Groups of devotees were stopped on the outskirts of the city. According to officials, a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which led to a stampede-like situation and injured many. At least 30 women are reportedly injured and are undergoing treatment at the central hospital established in the Mela area.
January 29, 2025 8:54 am
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the stampede-like situation at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday and assured full support, including volunteers and health services, to manage the situation effectively. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with the Chief Minister, assuring him full support from the Centre.
January 29, 2025 8:50 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for immediate support measures, according to officials.