Mahakumbh 2025- Massive stampede at Sangam, several dead and over 60 injured

New Delhi, January 29

Multiple people were feared dead after a “stampede-like” situation broke out at the Sangam in the early hours of January 29 amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. 

The incident took place after a large number of pilgrims gathered for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya.

The police and emergency authorities told media that the injured were rushed to the central hospital established in the Mela area. 

The Amrit Snan or the ‘holy bath’ on Mauni Amavasya is considered to be the most significant ritual at the Maha Kumbh and is likely to attract around 10 crore pilgrims. 

Anticipating a huge influx of people on this occasion, the mela authorities had issued an advisory to the devotees to urging them to follow crowd-management guidelines for safety and convenience.

As per the guidelines, pilgrims were advised to use designated lanes to the Sangam Ghat and maintain a queues while approaching the bathing area. They were asked to avoid roaming around at the ghats after the holy dip and urged to immediately proceed to the parking areas or their destinations to ensure smooth movement.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath addressed a press conference and informed, “Tgere is a huge crowd in Kumbh. Eight to ten crore devotees are present in Kumbh. Nearly six crore devotees came yesterday and took a holy dip at the Sangam. The incident occurred between 1 am and 2 am. The seers will proceed with the Amrit Snan once the crowd reduces”.

He also informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him four times following the incident and that he was constantly monitoring the situation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also spoke to Adityanath and assured all possible help from the central government.

In a tweet, Adityanath appealed to the devotees to take the holy dip at the nearest ghat at Ganga and not go towards Sangam Nose, where the stampede occurred.

He also urged that many ghats have been built for the holy dip and urged the people to follow the administration's instructions, cooperate with them and not pay attention to rumours.