30 dead, 60 injured in Maha Kumbh stampede; 25 victims identified
Maha Kumbh Stampede News: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 claimed 30 lives and left 60 injured in the early hours between 1 and 2 am. According to DIG Maha Kumbh Vaibhav Krishna, 25 victims have been identified, while efforts are ongoing to establish the identity of the remaining five.
A joint press conference was held by Maha Kumbh Mela Chief Officer Vijay Kiran Anand and DIG Maha Kumbh Vaibhav Krishna, where they addressed the incident and provided updates on rescue and relief operations. The authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede and ensuring necessary measures to prevent further mishaps.
Notably, the incident occurred at approximately 1.30 am on Tuesday night, when a massive crowd gathered at the Sangam Ghat for the Mauni Amavasya snan. The exact cause of the stampede remains unclear.
The authorities have sealed eight entry points into Prayagraj, including Bhadohi, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Jaunpur, and Mirzapur to control crowd movement. The entire Mela area has been declared a no-vehicle zone, and all vehicle passes have been revoked to prevent congestion.
Devotees are now being directed through separate entry and exit routes to avoid overcrowding. The entry of four-wheelers into the city has been prohibited. These measures will remain in place until February 4.
PM Narendra Modi has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured continued coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Government. He stated that while the snan (ritual bathing) was briefly disrupted, it had since resumed smoothly.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to remain calm and advised them not to insist on bathing at the Sangam, emphasising that the Ganga is sacred everywhere and devotees can perform the ritual at other locations.
On the other hand, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed the VIP culture and administrative mismanagement for the tragedy.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the Indian Army take over the Kumbh Mela’s management for better crowd control.
DIG Vaibhav Krishna attributed the casualties to panic and overcrowding. He confirmed that 30 persons lost their lives, while 90 injured had been hospitalised. Out of the deceased, 25 have been identified.
It is learnt that barricades at the ghat were in place, but some collapsed under pressure from the massive crowd. Several devotees sleeping on the ground were trampled when people rushed forward, leading to the fatalities.
Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand assured that the administration is working swiftly to manage the situation and assist stranded devotees.
Prayagraj, UP: 30 people have lost their lives in the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place between 1-2 AM. 25 people have been identified and the identification of the remaining 5 is being done: DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna pic.twitter.com/9CqHORT0wt — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
- With inputs from agencies