Published 06:38 IST, January 29th 2025

PM Modi Condoles Deaths Of Devotees at Maha Kumbh, Says Monitoring Situation Closely

A stampede broke out in Prayagraj amid massive rush due to Mauni Amavasya, several people are injured; PM Modi has confirmed deaths in the tragic incident.

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Stampede-Like Situation in Maha Kumbh, Several Injured
Stampede-Like Situation in Maha Kumbh, Several Injured | Image: ANI

Maha Kumbh Nagar: A stampede broke out in Prayagraj at the Maha Kumbh as thousands of thousands pilgrims visit the Triveni Sangam for the 'Amrit Snan' on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Several people have been injured and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also confirmed deaths in the tragedy.

'Lost a Few Lives': PM Modi Confirms Deaths in Maha Kumbh Stampede

Multiple people were killed and many injured in a stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

While the Uttar Pradesh government was tight-lipped on the number of casualties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his deepest condolences to the devotees who lost their family members in the stampede, describing the tragedy as extremely saddening.

In a post on X, he said the local administration in Prayagraj is giving all possible help to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Later at a poll rally in Delhi, Modi said, "We lost some good souls in the tragic incident at Kumbh and some people have also got hurt. I convey my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pray for the early recovery of those injured".

"I am in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government. Due to 'Mauni Amavasya', crores of devotees have reached there. For sometime, the process of bathing had been halted, but now for several hours, the yatris are taking a bath. I once again convey my condolences to the families," he said.

Maha Kumbh Stampede: Casualties Feared, Several People Injured

Multiple casualties are feared after a stampede broke out at the Triveni Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath - ‘Amrit Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya, officials said. Officer on Special Duty for the Mela Akanksha Rana said, "Some people have got injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured".

Those injured were taken to the central hospital established in the Mela area. Relatives of many injured also reached there as did some senior administrative and police officials.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Essential Helpline Numbers

Here is a list of essential helpline numbers for those who are in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh or have their loved ones visiting the religious gathering…

  • Maha Kumbh Helpline Number: 1920
  • Mela Police Helpline Number: 1944
  • Fire Services Number: 1945
  • Food and Supplies: 1010
  • Ambulance Helpline: 102/108

CM Yogi Adityanath Issues Statement

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a statement appealed to the devotees to take a dip at their nearest ghat and not try to go towards Sangam Nose, follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate with them. He has also asked to not pay attention to any rumours.

PM Modi Calls UP CM To Review Situation, Issues Statement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath four times on Wednesday to review the situation at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The Prime Minister called for immediate support measures. Rescue operations are underway, and those injured in the chaos caused by the large crowd have been taken to Central Hospital. Home Minister Amit Shah also dialled the UP CM. 

PM Modi has also issued a statement via his social media platform on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter); the post read, “The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government.”

What Led to the Stampede at Maha Kumbh?

While an official statement to confirm the cause of the stampede-like situation is yet to be issued, it is the unprecented rush on Mauni Amavasya, which has triggered this tragic situation in Prayagraj. Thousands of thousands devotees thronged Maha Kumbh Nagar to bathe in the Triveni Sangam on this auspicious occasion, at a particular time, causing a stampede to break out. Eyewitnesses have also revealed that the crowd at Maha Kumbh was poorly managed and there was no one to help during the stampede.

Barricades near the Triveni Sangam were knocked off due to the unprecedented rush, resulting in a chaos and a stampede broke out; over 30 devotees including women have been injured and casualties are also feared.

‘Suddenly There Was Pushing… We Got Trapped’: Eyewitness Narrates Ordeal

"We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses, we were nine people in the group. Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled," Sarojini from Karnataka said, weeping outside the hospital. "There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides," the woman told PTI Videos.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, amid a sea of crowds converging at the Sangam and all other ghats created along a 12-km long range of river banks for the Maha Kumbh.

Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan Resumes

The Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, which had been halted following the stampede, has resumed. Devotees are gathering in large numbers at the Mahakumbh Mela on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, with security being tightened ahead of the Amrit Snan. Authorities are ensuring safety as the crowd continues to gather at ghat after stampede.

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday had said that due to the stampede-like situation at Maha Kumbh, the seers have called off their Mauni Amavasya's Amrit Snan. "You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Mahant Ravindra Puri had told PTI Videos.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Massive Rush at Triveni Sangam Due to Mauni Amavasya

The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims. This year, a rare celestial alignment called 'Triveni Yog' is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day.

The Triveni Sangam -- confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati -- is considered the holiest by Hindus, with a belief that taking a dip in it during Maha Kumbh and particularly on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya washes away people's sins and provides them 'moksha' or salvation.

On Tuesday, in view of the anticipated influx of pilgrims, the Mela authorities issued an advisory urging devotees to follow crowd-management guidelines for safety and convenience. Pilgrims have been asked to use designated lanes to reach Sangam Ghat, stay in their lanes while approaching the bathing area, and avoid lingering at ghats after the holy dip. They have been urged to proceed promptly to parking areas or their destinations to ensure smooth movement.

Visitors were reminded to remain patient at barricades and pontoon bridges, avoiding rushing or jostling to prevent accidents. The administration emphasised that "all ghats at Sangam are equally sacred", encouraging devotees to "bathe at the first ghat they reach to prevent overcrowding".

(Inputs from PTI, ANI)

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Updated 14:38 IST, January 29th 2025