At least 10 people were feared dead, and several others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday morning as an overwhelming number of devotees gathered for the sacred Mauni Amavasya Snan at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The incident occurred as lakhs of pilgrims, saints, and devotees sought to take a holy dip on what is considered the most auspicious bathing day of the event, leading to unmanageable crowd pressure. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, panic, and helplessness as people found themselves trapped in the surging masses, unable to move or escape. Many have alleged that poor crowd management and the lack of adequate police deployment were key factors behind the disaster.
Vinay Kumar Yadav, a devotee present at the time, recalled the terrifying moments when people who had completed their holy dip struggled to exit due to the surging crowd pushing in from all directions. “We were on our way to the ghat when we noticed people returning. Suddenly, there was no space to move, and the situation became suffocating. People were falling, some were getting trampled, and there was no visible arrangement to ensure a safe passage,” he said.
Another eyewitness, who lost his wife in the stampede, described the situation as nothing short of mayhem. “We arrived at the ghats around 12:30 am to take our holy dip. Everything seemed fine initially, but as we tried to leave, authorities opened the gates, allowing another massive crowd to enter. In an instant, there was pushing, shoving, and people screaming. The stampede started, and people began falling over each other. It was a nightmare,” he said, visibly shaken.
A devotee from Bihar’s Aurangabad, who had traveled with 12-13 family members, said that his group was caught in the deadly rush during the Shahi Snan (royal bath). “We had no idea what was happening. We were moving toward the ghats when, all of a sudden, we were pushed from behind. Some members of my family fell, and there was no way to help them because everyone was struggling to stay on their feet. We just prayed we would come out alive,” he recounted.
Another pilgrim, Sarojini from Karnataka, said that her family tried to escape the crushing crowd but found no way out due to the sheer density of people. “We were walking leisurely in the Mela area when suddenly, there was a stampede-like situation. The pushing started, and we were trapped. It was horrifying. We saw people falling and being trampled. Many were injured. We don’t know the full extent of the casualties yet,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
She also revealed that her group had traveled in two buses, totaling 60 people, and many of them were caught in the uncontrolled surge. “There were nine of us in my immediate group. The stampede happened so fast that many of us got separated. I still don’t know where some of them are,” she told PTI.
In response to the crisis, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured that the situation was now under control. He stated that some devotees had jumped over barricades, which triggered a chain reaction of injuries and led to the deadly stampede. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors, warning that misinformation could escalate tensions and create unnecessary panic.
“The Kumbh Mela is witnessing an enormous crowd this year, with an estimated eight to ten crore devotees attending the event. Yesterday alone, nearly six crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam. The unfortunate incident took place between 1 am and 2 am, but the administration is actively monitoring the situation. The seers will proceed with the Amrit Snan once the crowd settles,” Adityanath said. He also assured that medical assistance and emergency response teams were deployed to assist the injured and manage the aftermath of the incident.
Being the world’s largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh is held once every 12 years, attracting devotees from all over India and across the globe. This year, the event, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The Uttar Pradesh government had anticipated a total footfall of nearly 40 crore pilgrims, making crowd control a significant challenge. Despite extensive security arrangements, logistical planning, and deployment of thousands of police personnel, the stampede has raised serious concerns about the authorities’ ability to manage such an unprecedented influx of people.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders and activists have criticized the handling of the event, questioning whether the government had taken adequate precautions to prevent such tragedies. “This is a failure of crowd management. The government should have ensured that clear exit routes were maintained, and better monitoring systems were in place,” said a local social activist.
Families of the victims have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, urging authorities to take accountability. Many are still searching for missing loved ones amid the chaos, and hospitals have been flooded with injured devotees seeking medical attention.
With the Maha Kumbh still ongoing, officials are under immense pressure to implement stricter safety measures to prevent any further mishaps. Devotees, however, continue to pour in, drawn by their faith and the belief that the holy waters of the Sangam will cleanse them of their sins. As the event progresses, the challenge for authorities will be to balance religious sentiment with the urgent need for public safety.
