Maha Kumbh tragedy: 30 killed, 60 injured as stampede breaks out during Mauni Amavasya

Prayagraj: At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured after a stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya, said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Vaibhav Krishna.

Mauni Amavasya is considered the most auspicious date among all the special bathing dates. It is believed that on this day, the water of the holy rivers turn into 'Amrit'. The Amrit Snan is the most sacred ritual of the Mahakumbh Mela, which draws millions of pilgrims from across the world.

Speaking at the press conference Vaibhav Krishna told that the incident took place between 1-2 am on Wednesday due to the pressure of crowd. The crowds broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there. Over 90 injured were rushed to the hospital, out of whom 30 died.

Barricades have been placed in the mela and akhara areas for lane management but they gave way under the pressure of the jostling throng. "As the barricades broke, people fell on those waiting for taking the holy dip during the brahm muhurt," he said.

Visuals show how devotees started falling on each other when there was a huge push near the confluence of the three rivers, where a holy dip is considered particularly sacred.

Amid the stampede chaos, several people returned without taking a bath on this auspicious day. The akharas called off their traditional 'Amrit Snan' for Mauni Amavasya, even as devotees in large numbers continued to take a dip at Sangam and other ghats in the Mela area.

Officer on Special Duty for the Mela Akanksha Rana said, "Some people have got injured and have been hospitalized after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath following a stampede-like incident and called for immediate support measures.

According to the UP government, in the past 17 days, the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 has already witnessed over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip in the Sangam and ghats. On Tuesday, January 28, more than 4.8 crore devotees took the snan, a tally higher than that of Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti, which was 3.5 crore.

Congress hit out at Centre

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the stampede at the Sangam.

"Mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees were responsible for this tragic incident. VIP culture should be reined in and the government should make better arrangements to fulfil the needs of common devotees at the Maha Kumbh," said Rahul Gandhi in a post on X.