Stampede at Maha Kumbh: All happened near ‘Sangam Nose’

Eyewitnesses recounted that it all happened near Sangam Nose, the main bathing area. It started with the rumour that Nagas are coming to take a dip. Soon after that, they were pushed and shoved by the crowd.

Jan 29, 2025 - 14:00
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Stampede at Maha Kumbh: All happened near ‘Sangam Nose’

At least 10 people were feared dead in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh early on Wednesday as crores of devotees turned up for a holy bath on 'Mauni Amavasya', the most significant ritual of the event.

Eyewitnesses recounted that it all happened near Sangam Nose, the main bathing area. It started with the rumour that Nagas are coming to take a dip. Soon after that, they were pushed and shoved by the crowd. Those who had already taken a holy dip at the Sangam, had no space to leave the spot.

The incident occurred around 2 am amid a sea of tightly-packed crowds converging at the Sangam Nose and all other ghats created along a 12-km long range of river banks for the Maha Kumbh. Several people suffered injuries while many families have been separated,

A local resident Gopal Sharma, who was at the spot when the stampede occurred, alleged there were no police arrangements to ensure people leave the spot safely after taking a holy dip at the Sangam - the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

"We were going to the ghat. Several people were returning from the ghat. Suddenly, it became crowded. There was no place for the people to go out. Everyone was pushing and falling on each other. No police arrangements were made," Sharma said.

Another eyewitness Mukul Yadav said his wife died in the stampede and described the situation as chaotic. "We came for the bath at midnight around 12.30 am. As we were leaving the spot, the gates opened and a crowd came and thronged the spot. There was pushing and shoving and the stampede occurred," he said.

A man from Bihar's Aurangabad said there were 12-13 family members accompanying him to the Maha Kumbh and said they were pushed by the crowd. A woman, Sarojini from Karnataka, said her family tried to escape the crowd but were unable to do so due to lack of space.

PM Modi, CM Yogi condole

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it an "extremely sad" incident and expressed his "deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones".

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

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said some devotees jumped over the barricades and due to that, some of them got injured and that triggered the stampede. He said that the situation was under control and urged people not to spread rumours about Maha Kumbh as it would be harmful for everyone.

"There 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 said.

Being held after 12 years, the Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13 and will continue till February 26. The Uttar Pradesh government, hosting the fair, expects a total footfall of around 40 crore pilgrims at the largest spiritual gathering on the planet.

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