Mahakumbh Stampede: 30 Killed, 60 Injured In Mishap; Over 5 Cr Take Holy Dip At Triveni Sangam On Mauni Amavasya | Highlights

30 people have lost their lives in the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place between 1-2 AM. 25 people have been identified and the identification of the remaining 5 is being done: DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj says, "All the three Shankaracharyas of the country are going to take a holy dip here today. The incident that took place late last night is unfortunate and everyone is sad but we should be cautious that no such incident happens in the future. I appeal to the devotees to remain patient and take a holy dip anywhere in the Kumbh Kshetra. There is no specific place where devotees should gather to take the dip..."

Flower petals showered on saints and seers taking a holy dip at Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Drone visuals from the Ghats of Triveni as a huge number of devotees reach for the Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. As of 12 pm today, about 4.24 crore devotees have taken a holy dip. The total number of devotees who have taken a holy dip till today has crossed 20 crores.

Akhadas head towards Triveni Sangam with their deities for the Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has blamed the "stampede" at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, and prioritizing self-promotion over proper management.

"During the Maha Kumbh, the news of a stampede on the banks of Teerthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-rending. Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," Kharge said in a post on X.

"Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this. Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, such arrangements are condemnable," he added.

"Before I address today's election rally, I express my condolences towards the families of the people who have lost their lives in the painful accident which occurred in Mahakumbh. I express my sympathies with the affected families. Many people suffered injuries. I am constantly in touch with the Uttar Pradesh govt. For a brief time, the process of holy dip was obstructed but it has been going on smoothly for some hours now," PM Modi condoles deaths in Mahakumbh while addressing a poll rally in Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday appealed to devotees at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the ghats nearest to them and advised to not insist on taking a dip at the Sangam Ghat due to large crowds. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's remark came after a stampede-like situation on Wednesday early morning. He said that around 8 to 10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj today and there is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose. He said that a few devotees have suffered serious injuries when they tried to cross barricading on Akhara Marg.

"Kumbh is a matter of faith. What arrangements have been made for the devotees there? Women are having to sleep on roads. During Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, the arrangements at Kumbh were the best. When Union ministers & VIPs visit it puts pressure on the system. More than 10 people have died. I believe the Administration is responsible for these deaths," Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said.

Maha Kumbh Stampede: After a brief halt due to large crowds, saints began their procession as they headed to the Triveni Sangam for the second Amrit Snan of MahaKumbh 2025 on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday. Saints and Akharas halted the second Amrit Snan after a stampede-like situation as a massive crowd of devotees gathered at the Sangam Ghats in the early morning of Wednesday. Heavy security was deployed at the Triveni Sangam as police paved the way for Akharas and saints for their Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

“The stampede incident at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I express my condolences to the families of the injured devotees and pray to God that all the injured devotees recover soon,” Prez Murmu posted on X.

Speaking to ANI, DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna said that more than 10 crore devotees are expected to visit Kumbh Mela today and added that the crowd is under control.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday morning stated that the situation at Sangam in Prayagraj is under control after the stampede. The chief minister urged devotees to follow administrative instructions and avoid going towards the Sangam Nose after a stampede in Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh on Wednesday left at least 17 dead, according to media reports. He also appealed to pilgrims to take a dip at their nearest ghats and not believe in rumours.  

"The stampede incident in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I pray for the peace of the souls of the devotees who lost their lives in this accident. May God give strength to their families to bear this immense sorrow.A humble appeal to all devotees is to maintain patience and be cautious. Follow the instructions of the administration and take care of each other's safety," Kejriwal posted on X. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) has urged UP CM Yogi Adityanath to hand over the Kumbh area to the Army after a stampede claimed several lives on Mauni Amavasya at Sangam. "...Who is responsible for this? We appeal to CM Yogi Adityanath ji to hand over the administration of the Kumbh area to the Army," Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously monitoring the situation in Mahakumbh and has been in constant contact with the state government. He has called the chief minister thrice till now and is helping them in normalising the situation and providing relief to the victim.

"During the Maha Kumbh, the news of stampede on the banks of Teerthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-wrenching. Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured... Our Congress workers are requested to provide all possible help to the victims," Kharge posted on X. 

The government of Uttar Pradesh had established a war room for Mahakumbh 2025 from where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is constantly monitoring the situation at Mahakumbh. In the war room, Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary-Home, CM Office officials and ADG Law and Order are present and monitoring the situation.

Speaking about the stampede-like situation, Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said that because of the crowd, the barricade broke off at the Sangam Ghat and the stampede-like situation occurred.  

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the devotees to take a dip at their nearest ghat and not try to go towards Sangam Nose, follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate with them. He has also asked to not pay attention to any rumours. 

A green corridor was created to take the patients to the hospital. Until dawn, all the officials worked tirelessly to fully control the situation. Arrangements were also made to transport the injured to the hospital via air ambulance.

To prevent the Amrit Snan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke to the Akhadas. As a result, the Akhadas postponed the Amrit Snan. At 5 AM, Shri Mahavir Nirvani and Atal Akhada were scheduled to take the Amrit Snan. After them, Niranjani and Anand Akhada were to take their turn. Following that, Juna, Agni, Aavahan, and Kinnar Akhada were next. Then, the Vaishnav sect's Digambar Ani, Nirmohee Ani, and Nirvani Ani were to perform their snan. Finally, Nirmal Akhada was scheduled for the Amrit Snan.

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday said that due to the stampede-like situation at Maha Kumbh, the seers have called off their Mauni Amavasya's Amrit Snan.

Union home minister Amit Shah called Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath following the stampede at the Sangam during the Mauni Amavasya celebrations at the Mahakumbh, reports ANI. Shah assured him of full support from the Centre.

Rapid Action Force personnel deployed for crowd control as lakhs of devotees throng Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday to review the situation at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The Prime Minister called for immediate support measures.