10 Things to Know About the Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela

What happened?
A stampede broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in the early hours of January 29, 2025. The incident occurred as thousands of Hindu devotees were gathering for the sacred Amrit Snan at the Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Devotees were crossing barricades when several of them fell and fainted.
Casualties and Injuries

Several deaths and injuries have been feared in the incident. The exact number is not yet known. Many of the injured are in critical condition, and emergency responders are still attending to those affected.
How Did the Stampede Occur?

The incident reportedly began around 1 AM when a large number of pilgrims tried to move toward the riverbanks for the early morning holy dip. Some devotees slipped while crossing the barricades, causing panic among the crowd. Witnesses say that exits were blocked, making it difficult for people to escape, leading to a chaotic crush. The exact cause is under investigation, but overcrowding and a lack of proper barricades appear to be key factors.
Government and Police Response

Authorities acted quickly to manage the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured. Police and security forces have been deployed to control the crowd, and the administration has urged people to use alternative bathing sites to prevent further incidents.
What did UP CM Yogi say?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath initially did not confirm deaths in the incident. He, however, mentioned that several devotees were injured in the incident. He also urged devotees to take a dip at the temporary areas built for the convenience of devotees, and avoid going to Sangam in large numbers.
What did PM Modi say?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that several deaths have happened in the incident. His tweet came after Yogi’s statement. He also condoled deaths and said that he is monitoring the situation.
The Significance of Maha Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the largest religious gathering in the world. Devotees believe that bathing in the holy rivers during this time washes away sins and grants moksha (liberation). The 2025 Kumbh Mela began on January 13 and is expected to attract over 400 million pilgrims over 45 days. The Shahi Snan (royal bath), which involves participation from ascetics and saints, is one of the most significant rituals of the festival.
Eyewitness Accounts

Survivors described chaotic scenes, with people climbing over barricades and others trapped under the weight of the crowd. A devotee from Varanasi recounted how his elderly mother was knocked down and struggled to breathe as people stepped over her. Many lost their belongings, including shoes, bags, and religious offerings, in the crush.
One devotee stated:
“It all happened so fast. We heard screams, people were falling, and there was no way to move forward or back. It was terrifying.”
Crowd Management and Security Measures

To handle the massive influx of devotees, the government had set up:
– A tent city with over 150,000 toilets and 3,000 community kitchens
– 50,000 security personnel, including police and paramilitary forces
– Drones and CCTV cameras for surveillance
– 11 temporary hospitals with medical teams on standby
– Despite these measures, the unexpected surge in the crowd led to gaps in security and crowd control, which may have contributed to the stampede.
Historical Stampedes at Kumbh Mela

This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred at the Kumbh Mela. Previous deadly stampedes include:

1954 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela: Over 800 people were killed due to a poorly managed crowd.
2013 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela: A stampede at the Allahabad railway station led to 42 deaths as devotees rushed to board trains after bathing.
2003 Nasik Kumbh Mela: Over 39 people were crushed in a stampede at the Ramkund bathing site.