On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, a tragic second stampede occurred at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, just hours after the first crowd crush near the Sangam Nose. This incident took place around 2 km away at Jhusi, another part of the Kumbh Mela grounds, near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. While the authorities initially withheld information about the second stampede to prevent panic, official sources confirmed the death toll of 30, which includes victims from both locations.
Eyewitnesses and reporters on the ground, such as Abhinav Pandey and Mohan Kannaujia, who were with India Today Digital’s sister news outlet, The Lallantop, provided exclusive coverage of the tragic events at Jhusi. They shared footage of piles of discarded clothes, footwear, and water bottles being cleared by tractors and spoke to people who described the horrifying scene of people being crushed under the weight of the crowd.
One witness, Neha Ojha, who works at the Haldiram kiosk near the site of the Jhusi stampede, said bodies of the victims were left unattended for hours, and it took more than four hours for a police constable to arrive. She also mentioned that people had suffocated to death by 1:30 pm, but the authorities' response was delayed, with police trying to prevent people from recording videos. Another witness, who was near the site, recalled seeing many crushed underfoot and noted the lack of help or support for the victims.
The stampede occurred in an environment of chaos as the crowd grew uncontrollable, with people pushing and breaking through barriers. Harshit, a Prayagraj native, explained that many devotees had already fallen asleep around the area, creating severe congestion. There was also a reported theft during the chaos, with several laptops and iPhones being stolen amid the stampede.
The tragedy unfolded as around 55 million devotees arrived for the second Shahi Snan on Mauni Amavasya, an auspicious day for a ceremonial dip at the Sangam. As the crowds gathered, the overcrowded conditions and lack of crowd control measures in some areas led to these deadly stampedes.
The situation at Jhusi became particularly dire when a bus arrived, and a group of young men deliberately caused chaos, breaking through barriers and triggering a stampede. According to a sadhu at the scene, the deliberate disruption led to the collapse of the barrier, causing an uncontrollable surge of people who trampled each other. This claim has led to speculations, with some calling it a conspiracy to defame the Kumbh.
As efforts to clear the site continued late into the night, it became clear that the response to the stampede had been insufficient, with limited ambulance access across the Ganga. Eyewitnesses reported that ambulances could only reach the site after crossing the river, further delaying the response to the emergency.
While the authorities worked to manage the situation, the tragedy has raised questions about the safety measures and crowd control at one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The stampede is a stark reminder of the risks associated with such large-scale events and the need for better safety protocols to prevent further loss of life in future gatherings.
