30 dead, 60 Injured in Mahakumbh stampede

New Delhi, Jan 29: A stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday has claimed the lives of 30 people and left 60 others injured, according to Vaibhav Krishna, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mahakumbh.

Among the deceased, 25 have been identified, while efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining five victims, DIG said while speaking to the media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement, he assured that the local administration is actively providing all necessary assistance to those affected. Taking to social media, he wrote:

“The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones. I also wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in all possible help to the victims. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government,” PM said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief, writing in Hindi on X:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place at Maha Kumbh. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. The administration is treating the injured in hospitals. I am in constant touch with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the local administration.”

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as “painful” and affirmed that the Uttar Pradesh government and local administration were providing all possible help to the victims.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reassured the public that the situation is under control. Opposition parties, however, criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre, accusing them of “mismanagement” and promoting a “VIP culture.”

Incident at the Sacred Sangam

The stampede occurred around 2:00 AM as a massive crowd gathered at the Sangam Nose, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet. Officials reported that the chaos ensued when a barrier at the main bathing point collapsed, triggering panic among devotees.

Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes, with shoes, blankets, and belongings strewn across the riverbanks. BBC reports described bodies lying motionless amid scattered personal items. News footage showed distressed pilgrims struggling to navigate the overcrowded space, as announcements urged devotees to use alternative ghats along the rivers to ease congestion.

Authorities launched immediate relief efforts at the site, with police and emergency teams working to provide medical assistance. Ambulances and police vehicles carried the injured to the nearby hospitals and medical teams near the site gave first aid to many of the injured pilgrims. The Amrit Snan (Holy Dip) was suspended for nearly 6 to 8 hours but later resumed under tight security.

DIG Mahakumbh assured devotees that “Everything will be carried out traditionally… The police and administration will assist all the Akharas in their processions… The situation is under control.” Small groups of saints later proceeded to the Triveni Sangam to complete their sacred rituals.

The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier implemented extensive security and crowd management measures, given the festival’s enormous turnout. Officials estimated that over 70 million pilgrims had taken the holy dip on Wednesday alone, with numbers expected to reach 100 million by the end of the day. Since the festival’s commencement on January 13, nearly 200 million devotees have participated, and by its conclusion on February 26, an estimated 400 million people will have attended the Maha Kumbh.

Religious leaders, including Premanand Puri, criticised the authorities for prioritising VIP arrangements over general devotees. “The administration was busy serving the VIPs. Every VIP who attended the Mahakumbh was catered to by the authorities, while preparations for the general devotees were neglected,” he alleged in a widely circulated video.

Despite the tragedy, the Maha Kumbh Mela continues to capture global attention. NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared satellite images of the festival from the International Space Station (ISS), showing the illuminated pilgrimage site at night.

“2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges river pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit,” Pettit wrote on X, in a post that has garnered over a million views.

As investigations into the stampede continue, authorities face mounting pressure to reinforce safety protocols and prevent further incidents at this historic event. With the Maha Kumbh set to continue until February 26, ensuring the safety of millions of devotees remains a top priority.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced ₹25 lakh in financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident. He also ordered a judicial probe, forming a three-member commission led by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former DG VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh.

Adityanath said the government had been monitoring the situation closely from multiple control rooms and had maintained continuous communication with officials. He attributed the incident to a massive crowd surge that breached barricades, confirming 30 deaths and 36 injured undergoing treatment in Prayagraj.

Calling the tragedy “heart-wrenching,” he extended condolences to the victims’ families. Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and DGP, will visit Prayagraj for further assessment, while the judicial panel will submit its findings within a set timeframe.