A pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left 60 others injured. The incident occurred as millions of pilgrims gathered to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges during Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days in the Hindu calendar.
Crowd Surge Triggers Stampede
The tragic stampede took place between 2:00 and 2:30 am when an unprecedented crowd of devotees, eager to take a holy dip, surged towards the Sangam nose. This overcrowding left little space for people to exit, and chaos ensued as pilgrims jostled for space. The Mela administration, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, struggled to manage the situation.
Eyewitness Accounts Point to Sudden Surge
According to witnesses, the tragedy occurred when pilgrims, hoping to perform the ‘Amrit snan’ at the auspicious 3 am hour, caused a sudden crush at the Sangam. The area, which had started filling up by 7:35 pm on Tuesday, was packed by 2 am. The increasing pressure of the crowd led to barricades breaking down, contributing to the chaos.
Amrit Snan Postponed, Resumed Later
Following the stampede, the traditional bathing ritual of akharas was delayed but resumed later in the afternoon. Devotees continued to bathe at the Sangam and other ghats along the Ganges, though the crowds had thinned by then.
Details of the Tragedy Revealed
In the evening, Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed the death toll and injury count. He attributed the incident to the overwhelming pressure of the crowd that broke through the barricades. As the barriers fell, many people were crushed underfoot. At least 90 people were taken to the hospital, with 30 confirmed dead.
Victims Identified, Including Those from Other States
The authorities confirmed that 25 of the deceased had been identified. Among the victims were four from Karnataka and one each from Assam and Gujarat.
