Guwahati: A stampede-like situation at the Mahakumbh Mela at Mahakumbh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday left at least 15 people dead and many more injured.
The incident took place on Wednesday morning as massive crowds gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
Nearly fifteen dead bodies have been brought to the hospital, according to sources. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed by officials.
Ambulances were quickly dispatched and the injured were rushed to central hospital inside the Mela premises for medical intervention.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation twice in an hour.
The incident happened despite organizers installing hundreds of cameras and using drones and AI to track crowds.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath has urged people not to move towards Sangam Nose and take bath at the ghat near Maa Ganga.
Meanwhile, Akharas have called off the Amrit Snan for January 29 after a stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam, leaving several devotees injured.
Several spiritual leaders are urging devotees to temporarily avoid coming to Sangam Ghat to avoid crowd surge.
“On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment. It is not a serious situation,” Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana told a news agency.
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The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 has already witnessed over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip in the Sangam and ghats over the past 17 days.
The mega event at the Mahakumbh Mela at the Triveni Sangam, billed as the largest human gathering on earth, began on January 13 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. The Mahakumbh will conclude on February 26.
