Prayagraj: Several people have been injured after a stampede occurred at the Maha Kumbh in the wee hours of Wednesday as crores of devotees rushed to the Triveni Sangam for the holy ‘Amrit Snan’ or holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya.
Seeing the unprecedented influx of devotees that led to the untoward incident, all 13 akharas have called off the ‘Amrit Snan’ and urged devotees to not visit the Maha Kumbh at the moment as authorities try to control the situation while rushing those injured to hospitals and managing the crowd.
Rapid Action Force has been deployed and several ambulances were seen ferrying injured before dawn.
Probable cause of stampede: What authorities say
Speaking to reporters early morning, Maha Kumbh Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said the stampede occured as large number devotees moved on the sangam routes, causing some barriers to break. She added that many people have been injured and are being treated at hospitals, some are in ICU but “it is not a serious situation”.
She added that the exact number of injured is yet to be ascertained as the priority is to provide medical care first.
#WATCH | #Mahakumbh | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: On the reports of a stampede at the Maha Kumbh, Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana says, “On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment.… pic.twitter.com/SgLRVXMlgf
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025
Why so many devotees turned up for Amrit Snan at Maha Kumbh
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh, expected to attract around 10 crore pilgrims. This year, the event holds even greater spiritual significance due to a rare celestial alignment known as ‘Triveni Yog,’ occurring after 144 years.
Around 2 am, the blaring sirens of ambulances and police vehicles racing towards the Sangam cut through the continuous chants of mantras and shlokas resonating from loudspeakers across the Kumbh Mela area.
The injured were taken to the central hospital set up within the Mela grounds. Their relatives, along with senior administrative and police officials, also arrived at the hospital.
