Mahakumbh 2025: Stampede at Prayagraj’s Sangam Coast Claims 14 Lives, Over 50 Injured
Prayagraj, 29th January 2025: A stampede occurred at the Sangam coast of Prayagraj around 1:30 AM on Wednesday, resulting in the reported deaths of more than 14 people and leaving over 50 injured. While official figures are yet to be released, sources at Swaroop Rani Hospital confirmed that 14 bodies have been brought in for postmortem.
Following the incident, all 13 akhadas initially canceled the Amrit Snan (holy dip) of Mauni Amavasya at the administration’s request. However, after deliberations, the akhadas later decided to proceed with the ritual after 11 AM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath four times to assess the situation. Meanwhile, authorities have intensified aerial surveillance using helicopters to manage the Mahakumbh congregation. CM Yogi Adityanath assured that the situation is now under control and urged people not to believe in rumors.
Initial reports suggest two major factors contributed to the tragedy:
Restricted Pontoon Bridges: Several pontoon bridges were closed to regulate crowd movement for Amrit Snan, causing a bottleneck at the Sangam. The increasing congestion led to panic, resulting in some devotees being trapped in barricades and falling, triggering chaos.
Single Entry and Exit Route: The same pathway was being used for both entry and exit at Sangam Nose, preventing a smooth flow of devotees. When the stampede began, people had no escape routes, leading to a deadly crush.
More than 70 ambulances were deployed to rush the injured and deceased to hospitals. In response to the emergency, NSG commandos took control of the Sangam coast, and authorities restricted public entry into the Sangam Nose area. To manage crowd surges, devotees from neighboring districts have been temporarily halted from entering Prayagraj.
Despite the tragedy, millions of devotees continue to gather for the Mauni Amavasya Snan, a key bathing ritual of the Maha Kumbh. Officials estimate that around 5 crore devotees will participate today, with the total number expected to reach 8 to 10 crore by late night across 44 ghats, including Sangam.
On Tuesday, a day before the tragedy, over 5.5 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam. To ensure security, more than 60,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city.
Authorities are on high alert, and investigations into the cause of the stampede are ongoing.
