How Did the Stampede Occur at Mahakumbh? – DIG Reveals Everything: Traffic Jams in Neighboring States, 70 Million Pilgrims Still in Fairgrounds

A tragic incident occurred at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, where a stampede at the Sangam shore led to multiple casualties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged people to remain calm and advised pilgrims not to insist on bathing only at the Sangam. He emphasized that the Ganges is sacred everywhere, and devotees should take a dip wherever they are. Over 70 million devotees had gathered in Prayagraj for the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. The situation is now under control and peaceful.

Increasing Crowds at Mahakumbh

The number of people heading toward Tirthraj Prayag continues to grow as pilgrims from India and abroad arrive for the holy dip. On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, over 70 million devotees gathered for Mauni Amavasya Snan. The administration had made prior arrangements for the influx, but between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM, the number of pilgrims at Sangam Noze—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—suddenly surged.

Millions of people wanted to bathe at the Sangam, but the overwhelming crowd led to an uncontrollable situation. The stampede occurred due to the pushing and shoving among the devotees. According to Hindustan’s report, Mahakumbh Nagar DIG Vaibhav Krishna stated that the gate of a changing room at Sangam collapsed under the pressure of the crowd, triggering the panic and stampede.
Additionally, it is reported that due to the Amrit Snan, many pontoon bridges were closed, causing millions of devotees to gather at the Sangam. Some people tried to break through the barricades to move forward, eager to take a holy dip. This also contributed to the chaotic situation.

Immediate Response by Administration

Upon receiving reports of the incident, authorities were placed on high alert. More than 70 ambulances were immediately dispatched to the Sangam area to transport the injured and deceased to hospitals. Following the incident, NSG commandos took charge of the Sangam Noze area, which has now been sealed off to the public. To prevent further crowd surges, devotees are being stopped in neighboring districts, and the administration remains on alert.

Injured individuals are receiving treatment at Prayagraj Medical College, where multiple ambulances have been seen outside the premises. Reports indicate that personal belongings are scattered at the site of the stampede. However, the official number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Authorities Deny Stampede Claims

Kumbh Mela SSP Rajesh Dwivedi denied reports of a stampede in the fairgrounds. Speaking to the media, he stated, “There was no stampede. The extreme crowding caused some devotees to get injured. Please do not believe in rumors. I appeal to all pilgrims to use the designated ghats for their holy dip. The Amrit Snan will commence peacefully, and we have developed multiple ghats for smooth access.”

PM Modi Expresses Grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the incident. In a post on X, he wrote, “The accident at Prayagraj Mahakumbh is extremely tragic. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance. I have spoken to CM Yogi Adityanath and am in constant touch with the state government.”

Traffic Jams Across Multiple States

With millions of devotees still en route to Prayagraj, roads are witnessing massive traffic congestion. The traffic situation is severe not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in neighboring states leading to Prayagraj.

Madhya Pradesh CM Addresses the Situation

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted the heavy crowd at the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border near Rewa. He posted on social media about the arrangements being made:

“Prayagraj Mahakumbh: On this auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, millions of devotees from across the world have gathered at Tirthraj Prayag for a holy dip. Considering the crowd, necessary arrangements have been made at the MP-UP border in Rewa district.”

CM Mohan Yadav further wrote: “Due to the high influx of pilgrims in Prayagraj, thousands of vehicles are halted at the Chaka Ghat border in Rewa district. Our police and administrative officers are present, ensuring arrangements for food, shelter, and medical facilities for devotees. I appeal to all pilgrims to follow administrative guidelines and remain patient.”