A tragic stampede broke out at the Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday as millions of devotees arrived for the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, the most sacred bathing ritual of the Maha Kumbh 2025. According to Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna, at least 30 people lost their lives, and over 60 were injured due to the massive crowd surge.
Key Highlights:
- A tragic stampede at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh 2025 Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’ led to the deaths of at least 30 people and injured 60 others.
- The incident occurred as lakhs of devotees gathered for the holy dip at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.
- UP CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial probe into the tragedy and a separate investigation into police lapses.
- PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah contacted CM Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation.
- Opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, criticized the government for alleged mismanagement.
Mahakumbh 2025 Stampede: What Happened?
A tragic stampede broke out at the Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday as millions of devotees arrived for the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, the most sacred bathing ritual of the Maha Kumbh 2025. According to Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna, at least 30 people lost their lives, and over 60 were injured due to the massive crowd surge. As lakhs of pilgrims attempted to reach the riverbanks for the holy dip, overcrowding led to a chaotic rush, resulting in a stampede-like situation. Visuals from the site showed police personnel carrying injured devotees while rescue operations were underway.
Government’s Response to the Maha Kumbh Stampede
In response to the tragic incident, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial commission probe and an additional police investigation to examine possible administrative lapses. He assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah personally reached out to CM Yogi Adityanath to take stock of the situation and assess necessary relief measures. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and injured victims. The administration has also ramped up security measures for upcoming Maha Kumbh bathing days to prevent further mishaps.
Opposition Criticism Over Kumbh Mela Tragedy
Following the stampede, the Opposition parties have strongly criticized the government’s handling of the Maha Kumbh arrangements.
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge blamed “half-baked preparations” and accused the government of focusing more on self-promotion rather than ensuring devotee safety.
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the government for falsely claiming a “world-class” event infrastructure. He demanded that officials responsible step down for the tragic mishap.
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 | Key Facts
- The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 commenced on January 13 and will continue until February 26.
- Millions of devotees, including pilgrims from across India and the world, are taking part in the spiritual confluence at Prayagraj.
- Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan is the most sacred bathing ritual of the Maha Kumbh and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims.
- A rare celestial event called ‘Triveni Yog’, occurring after 144 years, is enhancing the spiritual significance of this year’s Maha Kumbh.
- The Uttar Pradesh government estimates that over 45 crore people will attend the Maha Kumbh 2025, with a record 10 crore pilgrims expected on Mauni Amavasya alone.
As the Maha Kumbh 2025 continues, authorities are under intense pressure to implement stricter crowd management measures and ensure devotee safety in the remaining weeks of the holy festival.