Rescue operation underway after a stampede occurred on 'Mauni Amavasya' during the ongoing 'Maha Kumbh Mela' festival, in Prayagraj, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.Photo: PTI Rescue operation underway after a stampede occurred on 'Mauni Amavasya' during the ongoing 'Maha Kumbh Mela' festival, in Prayagraj, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.Photo: PTI

At least 30 people died and 60 others were injured after a ‘stampede-like’ situation broke out at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj early Wednesday after a large number of pilgrims turned up to take a dip in Sangam on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’. lodi casino

The incident occurred around 2 am and Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna gave the details of the casualties at a press conference in Prayagraj in the evening.

Later in the night, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a three-member judicial commission, comprising Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG VK Gupta and retd IAS VK Singh to look into the reasons behind the stampede. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.

VIDEO | Maha Kumbh 2025: An ambulance makes its way from between the massive crowd at Mela area. #mahakumbh2025prayagraj #MahaKumbhWithPTI pic.twitter.com/boOjCuwjE1

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2025 Police Announces Details Of Casualties In Stampede

"The incident took place due to the pressure of the crowd. The crowd broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there. Over 90 injured were rushed to the hospital, of whom 30 died," he said.

The officer said 25 of the deceased have been identified. Four of them are from Karnataka and one each from Assam and Gujarat.

Among those injured, 36 are undergoing treatment at the hospital and the rest have been sent with their families.

Following the incident, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said that the seers have called off their Mauni Amavasya’s Amrit Snan temporarily. Again around the afternoon, the Akhadas resumed holy dips. Reportedly, over seven and half crore devotees took a dip Wednesday.

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UP CM Yogi Adityanath stated, "It is important to get to the bottom of the whole episode on how such a tragedy occurred," as he announced an in-depth probe into the tragic incident. He added that the chief secretary and DGP would visit the Maha Kumbh on Thursday for the probe.

DIG Krishna said barricades have been placed in the mela and akhara areas for lane management but they gave way under the pressure of the jostling.

As the barricades broke, people fell on those sitting and waiting for taking the holy dip during the 'brahm muhurt' (early morning time considered auspicious to perform certain activities), he said.

Many ordinary people, including women and children, fell down and were crushed.

The officer said the government has issued strict directives there will be no VIP protocol in the mela now onwards.

As per the tradition, Akharas belonging to the three sects 'Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen' take the holy dip in a set sequence following a procession to the Sangam Ghat on special bathing dates like the Mauni Amavasya, which are marked by special celestial alignments and considered holy among Hindus.

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However, with the situation now under control, the Mauni Amavasya’s Amrit Snan has been resumed.

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On Tuesday, a day before the Mauni Amavasya, nearly 5 crore people reached for the dip during the fair, according to estimates of the Uttar Pradesh government, which expects the crowd to be around 10 crore on Wednesday.

“We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses, we were nine people in the group. Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled. There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides,” Sarojini from Karnataka told PTI.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for immediate support measures.

Meanwhile, spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur requested people not to insist on taking a bath at Sangam only. “... I did not go to the Sangam Ghat because the size of the crowds over there is massive... I appeal to the people that not insist on taking a bath at the Sangam Ghat only. The entire Ganga and Yamuna rivers are 'Amrit' right now…,” he said.

#WATCH | Maha Kumbh Stampede | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur says, "... I did not go to the Sangam Ghat because the size of the crowds over there is massive... I appeal to the people that not insist on taking a bath at the Sangam Ghat only. The… pic.twitter.com/2yaosBZA8H

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims. This year, a rare celestial alignment called 'Triveni Yog' is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day.

It is believed that taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam during Maha Kumbh and particularly on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya washes away people’s sins and provides them ‘moksha’ or salvation.lodi casino