A massive stampede at the Mahakumbh 2025 Mela in Prayagraj resulted in 30 deaths, according to the Mahakumbh Mela authorities, and many were injured, reports Arindam for Different Truths.

In a devastating turn of events, a stampede broke out at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj this morning, leaving many dead and several pilgrims injured. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoned the deaths, with the opposition leaders blaming the government for mismanagement. However, the central and state governments are tight-lipped about the number of casualties and injured, causing serious concern about the enormity of the tragedy at the Mahakumbh, even eight hours after the incident.

Meanwhile, the casualty figures vary widely from seven to 50, as reported in the national and international media.

The tragic incident occurred at the Triveni Sangam, where millions had gathered for the auspicious Snan (bath). Despite extensive security measures, the sheer volume of devotees overwhelmed crowd control mechanisms, leading to panic and chaos.

The Incident

Eyewitness accounts describe the stampede as unfolding rapidly in the wee hours around 2 AM Wednesday when thousands of pilgrims surged forward for a dip in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. According to available reports, the situation escalated due to a sudden breakdown in barricades meant to regulate the flow of pilgrims.

The Mahakumbh stampede on Wednesday tragically demonstrated the consequences of poor crowd management. Disregarding safety rules and breaching barricades by many attendees and pilgrims created a chaotic situation. The lack of clearly defined entry and exit points at critical locations compounded the risk, highlighting the need for improved crowd control measures.

“One moment everything was fine, and the next, people were pushing and falling over each other,” said Ramesh Tiwari, a 58-year-old pilgrim from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. “I saw children getting separated from their parents. It was absolute mayhem.”

Media reports about the number of pilgrims dead vary in the international media, between 15 (AFP) and 50 (The Independent, UK). Meanwhile, the national media reported the casualties between seven and 20 (Dainik Bhaskar). Those injured run into hundreds, though the Kumbh Mela authorities are tight-lipped. Official confirmation about the dead and the injured isn’t available from the central and state governments either.

Response from Authorities

Kumbh Mela authorities were quick to respond, with emergency teams and security forces arriving within minutes. State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured swift action, adding that it’s a ‘tragic incident’. He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP President were monitoring the incident closely.

Medical Emergency and Relief Efforts

Hospitals across Prayagraj have been inundated with injured and seriously injured pilgrims. The Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, attached to the Motilal Nehru Medical College, has reported an overwhelming influx of injured devotees, many suffering from fractures, head injuries, and suffocation-related complications.

A senior physician at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital described the severity of the situation without revealing his name, saying that many patients arrived unconscious due to lack of oxygen. Blood donation appeals have been made to help the victims.

Eyewitness Testimonies

Amidst the chaos, stories of survival and bravery have emerged. Neha Sharma, a 32-year-old devotee from Delhi, recalled the horror of being trapped in the stampede. “I was holding my mother’s hand when we got separated. I fell, and people stepped over me. A policeman pulled me out just in time. I was lucky, but many were not.”

Another survivor, 65-year-old Lakshmi Devi from Rajasthan, lamented the lack of crowd management. “We were promised a safe experience, but there were too many people and not enough control. This should never have happened.”

Challenges in Crowd Management

The Mahakumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has always posed significant challenges in terms of crowd control. Despite modern surveillance systems, drone monitoring, and thousands of police personnel on duty, the sheer magnitude of devotees often overwhelms logistical preparations.

Political Reactions and Public Outcry

Political leaders across the spectrum have expressed grief and concern. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticised the Yogi Adityanath government for self-promotion, prioritising VIP culture over management, and mismanagement of the Mela.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Singh called upon the BJP-led state government to take moral responsibility and resign from all posts.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal expressed condolences for the tragic stampede incident in Mahakumbh, praying for the souls of the deceased and their families.

Public sentiment has been equally vocal, with social media platforms flooded with messages of sorrow and outrage. Hashtags like #PrayForMahakumbh and #StampedeAtKumbh have been trending, with netizens questioning the government’s preparedness for an event of this scale.

Looking Ahead: Preventing Future Tragedies

As investigations continue, experts call for comprehensive reforms in managing religious gatherings. Recommendations include:

• Implementing real-time crowd density monitoring systems.
• Increasing the number of barricaded sections to channel movement.
• Deploying more trained personnel in high-risk zones.
• Conducting frequent evacuation drills to educate pilgrims on emergency procedures.

In the words of sociologist Dr Radhika Menon, “Mahakumbh is a celebration of faith and humanity, but unless we learn from these tragedies, history will keep repeating itself. Safety should never be compromised in the name of tradition.”

Conclusion

At Prayagraj, the grief-stricken city mourns its lost souls. The Mahakumbh, a symbol of spiritual unity, has been marred by tragedy. While the devotion of millions remains unwavering, authorities urgently need to reassess and reinforce safety mechanisms to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future. For now, prayers and relief efforts continue in the hope that lessons will be learned and such a catastrophe will never repeat itself.

Sources:

1. Testimonies of eyewitnesses and survivors.
2. Reports from NDTV, The Times of India, Economic Times, The Hindu, Dainik Bhaskar, and AFP, The Independent (UK) on the Mahakumbh 2025 Stampede.

Pictures and videos from YouTube, and shot by Alok Tripathi

Arindam Roy

Arindam Roy has over four decades of experience in various newsrooms of renowned media houses. He is the Founder, Publishing Director, Editor-in-Chief of Different Truths, and Kavya Kumbh Publishing Consultant (KKPC). He has co-authored ten chapters in six Coffee Table Books (CTBs) of national and international repute and is the sole author of four forthcoming CTBs (Times Group). He has also published four international poetry anthologies as the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, participated in several poetry and literary festivals, and won awards and accolades. Arindam co-authored the novel Rivers Run Back with an American writer. He stays in Bangalore and Prayagraj.

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