Mahakumbh Stampede Kills 30; ‘Swift Response Averted Tragedy’
Mahakumbh Stampeded Image credit UP Info Dept
Sudden Rush of People Crushed Sleeping Faithful: UP Police
By Raisina Correspondent
New Delhi, January 29: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday evening said that 30 people were killed in the stampede. The police made the official statement on casualty after almost 16 hours of the stampede.
“In the unfortunate incident, 30 people lost their lives while 90 were injured,” said the UP Police at a press conference. The police also said that a sudden rush of the people for taking holy dip at Sangam led to the stampede.
“Some of the people were sleeping while waiting to take the holy dip. The sudden rush of the people led to the stampede as those who were sleeping were crushed,” added the UP Police.
The stampede took place at about 2 am on Wednesday on the day of ‘Mauni Amavasya’. The spiritual heads of various Akahadas first cancelled the scheduled ‘Shahi Snan’, but later the ritual resumed.
The UP Police official Vaibhav Krishna briefed the media in a brief press conference where he didn’t take any questions from reporters. He said that the injured are being treated at hospitals.
“On Mauni Amavasya, the sacred banks of the Sangam saw an overwhelming influx of devotees, with crores arriving as early as midnight. Many had gathered a day in advance, creating a massive and crowded scene at the ghats. Eyewitnesses described a stampede-like situation due to the immense pressure of the devotees,” the UP Information Department said in a media statement.
The state government, however, stated that “the swift and effective response of the Uttar Pradesh Police prevented a potential tragedy”. “Displaying exceptional professionalism, the police acted quickly to restore order and ensure the safety of the pilgrims, significantly minimizing the situation’s impact,” added the state government.
It also stated that “over 50 ambulances, using a Green Corridor, reached Sangam Nose within minutes, making over 100 trips to transport the injured. Expert doctors arrived within 2–3 minutes, providing immediate medical aid.”
Those needing specialized care were later shifted to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital or Tej Bahadur Sapru Chikitsalaya (Beli Hospital), added the state government.
“Police and RAF personnel used ropes to manage the crowd, ensuring a systematic movement of devotees. Senior police officials, including IG Prem Kumar and Mela SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, reached the site immediately. They directed the crowd through alternative routes, ensuring the safety of all pilgrims,” added the state government.
DIG Kumbh Vaibhav Krishna stated that an unprecedented number of devotees arrived in Prayagraj, with estimates exceeding 10 crore pilgrims.
SSP Kumbh Rajesh Dwivedi highlighted that there was extreme overcrowding at Sangam Nose, but swift action helped stabilize the situation. “Immediate appeals were made to pilgrims to use designated ghats for bathing and return home safely,” added the government.
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