Exclusive satellite images analyzed by India Today have provided critical insights into the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, which claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left 60 others injured. The images reveal the extreme congestion at Sangam Nose, the site where the incident occurred, offering a detailed view of the crowd dynamics and conditions that contributed to the disaster.
A thorough review of the satellite imagery showed that the Sangam ghats had been cleared to accommodate seers and akhadas, allowing them to take the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela. The bottlenecks at Sangam Nose became evident after the ghats were cleared to make space for this highly significant religious ritual. Satellite images from January 7 and January 19 indicated that the area around the Nose Point had been specifically cleared in preparation for the arrival of various Akharas, including their devotees, for the Amrit Snan. The images show that these clearances, although well-intended to ensure a smooth flow of devotees, may have inadvertently exacerbated the risk of crowd congestion as the footfall increased dramatically in a short span of time.
The stampede occurred due to the immense pressure from the massive crowds that had gathered to participate in the holy dip. Eyewitnesses reported that the devotees began to push forward, breaking barricades and rushing to the ghats, crushing those already waiting. The sudden surge in the crowd, coupled with overcrowded conditions, led to panic and chaos as people fought for space to take the dip at the sacred moment of 3 am, which marked the start of the auspicious hour. This surge was driven by the overwhelming desire to be part of the religious ritual at the precise time, further escalating the danger in the already chaotic environment. The consensus among various akharas to wait until the crowd pressure subsided only added to the tension as people were forced to push against the barricades.
Following the stampede, the Uttar Pradesh government acted swiftly to ramp up crowd management efforts. With more devotees flocking to the Kumbh Mela grounds, authorities are focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the attendees. On the day of the stampede, more than 7.64 crore devotees participated in the 'snan,' marking a record-high single-day attendance. By the end of Wednesday, the total footfall for the Kumbh Mela had surpassed 27.58 crore, highlighting the immense scale of the event and the challenges in managing such a large crowd.
The tragic incident has raised serious questions about the adequacy of crowd control measures at one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The UP government, which had already faced criticism for its handling of the stampede, is now under tremendous pressure to implement more effective safety protocols, including more robust barricading, better monitoring, and emergency response systems. As the Kumbh Mela continues, authorities are prioritizing the safety of devotees, with additional security measures being considered to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, is slated to run until February 26, 2025. As millions of devotees continue to visit Prayagraj for the remaining days of the festival, the government is taking urgent steps to ensure that the safety and security of pilgrims are not compromised. The tragedy at Sangam has served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with such massive gatherings and the need for vigilant and proactive crowd management strategies to safeguard lives.
