"Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd"
Nearly 40 people were killed in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, according to the police chief overseeing security at the event.
Police officer Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that 25 bodies have been identified and 60 people were injured, many of whom have been hospitalised.
The announcement of the casualties followed earlier reports and social media posts from local residents about the incident, though initial death tolls varied.
The stampede occurred at the Sangam area as pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred days of the festival.
Police said some people began breaking through barricades before the stampede broke out.
Sarojini, a Karnataka native, shared her experience:
“We came in a group of 60 in two buses. Nine of us were together. Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped.
“Many fell, and the crowd became uncontrollable.”
A woman at a local hospital, whose child was injured, described the chaos:
“There was nowhere to go when people started pushing. Some who pushed us were laughing while we begged them for kindness towards the children.”
Despite the stampede and police urging people to avoid the area, millions continued to crowd the pilgrimage site.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Vaibhav Krishna, assured that the situation is now under control.
A Rapid Action Force unit, a special team deployed during crisis situations, was sent to the scene.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling for “immediate support measures”.
Digambar Naga Baba Chidanand Puri of the Panchayati Niranjani Akhara said after the incident, pilgrims from his Akhara were arriving in smaller groups for the dip.
The Maha Kumbh festival, held once every 12 years, began on January 13, 2025, and is the largest religious gathering in the world.
Organisers had anticipated that over 400 million people would visit the pilgrimage site during the six-week event.
To accommodate the crowds, authorities have set up an extensive tent city along the riverbanks, featuring 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets, and 11 hospitals.
Stampedes are not uncommon at Indian religious festivals, where large crowds often gather in confined spaces.
Loading ...