Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj Claims Over Seven Lives, Leaves Several Injured

More than seven people were killed and around 10 others injured in a tragic stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela early Wednesday morning, according to officials. The incident occurred near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, where millions of devotees had gathered for a sacred dip on the festival’s most auspicious day. Authorities stated the cause of the stampede, which occurred around 1 a.m., remains unclear.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as devotees pushed toward the riverbanks, causing people to fall and get trampled. “There were people lying all around, I don’t know if they were dead or alive,” said Vijay Kumar, a visitor from Patna. Emergency personnel, including the Rapid Action Force, were deployed to control the situation and assist the injured. Despite the incident, the ritual ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) resumed after a brief halt.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences and issued instructions to normalize the situation. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged pilgrims to follow safety guidelines. However, opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government’s handling of the event, citing “VIP movements” and “mismanagement.” Despite enhanced security measures, including AI-assisted crowd control, Wednesday’s stampede echoed a similar tragedy during the 2013 festival, which claimed 36 lives.

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