Maha Kumbh Tragedy: Stampede at Sangam Claims 14 Lives, Over 50 Injured

Prayagraj, January 29, 2025: A stampede at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday led to a tragic loss of 14 lives, with more than 50 people injured. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 AM, has raised serious concerns over crowd management and safety protocols at the world’s largest religious gathering.

Stampede Triggers Chaos, Akharas Cancel Holy Dip

Following the chaos at Sangam, all 13 Akharas have canceled the scheduled Amrit Snan (holy dip) on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious bathing days of the Kumbh. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Ravindra Puri stated that the decision was made due to excessive crowd buildup at Sangam Nose (the main confluence point).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation and extend necessary support.

Eyewitness Account: How the Tragedy Unfolded

According to on-ground reports, a rumor triggered the stampede as thousands of devotees rushed towards the Sangam Nose. In the panic, several women fell to the ground and were trampled by the surging crowd.

Authorities responded swiftly, deploying 70+ ambulances to transport the injured and deceased to Swaroop Rani Hospital, where post-mortem procedures are currently underway. However, official figures on casualties remain undisclosed by the administration.

Security Measures Intensified, Public Entry Restricted

In the wake of the incident, the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos have taken control of the Sangam area to prevent further chaos. As an immediate safety measure:

• Public entry to Sangam Nose has been completely restricted.
• Pilgrim entry into Prayagraj has been temporarily suspended.
• Checkpoints in neighboring districts have been reinforced to control crowd movement.

The Prayagraj administration had anticipated a turnout of over 5 crore pilgrims on Mauni Amavasya, with projections indicating 8 to 10 crore devotees taking a dip throughout the day.

Unprecedented Crowd, Overwhelmed Security Forces

On Tuesday alone, more than 5.5 crore devotees bathed at the Sangam, creating immense pressure on security forces and infrastructure. To manage the surge, over 60,000 security personnel had been deployed across 44 ghats in the city.

Despite these measures, the unexpected surge in numbers and lack of adequate crowd control contributed to the tragic incident. Officials are now reviewing safety protocols and crowd management strategies to prevent further casualties in the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh.

Maha Kumbh Tragedy: Stampede at Sangam Claims 14 Lives, Over 50 Injured