Wed Jan 29 03:00:00 UTC 2025: **Kumbh Mela Stampede Leaves Dozens Injured in Prayagraj**
PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA—A stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, on Wednesday left over 30 women injured during the Mauni Amavasya, a significant bathing day. Thousands of pilgrims converged on the Sangam confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, resulting in a surge of people that overwhelmed the area.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with people being crushed and trampled underfoot. One woman recounted how she and her child were caught in the uncontrolled rush, while another described how a group of 60 pilgrims from two buses were separated and struggled to escape the surging crowd. A man from Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, reported his mother was injured and hospitalized. A couple from Meghalaya also shared their harrowing experience of being trapped in the stampede.
One witness, Jay Prakash Swami, stated that women were trapped under the mass of people and unable to get up. He and others helped rescue those they could from the chaos. In response to the incident, Mahant Ravindra Puri announced that all saints and ascetics had decided to forgo the Mauni Amavasya bath due to the unfortunate events.
Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing the extent of injuries. While initial reports indicate over 30 women were injured, the final number of casualties and the severity of injuries remains unclear. The stampede serves as a reminder of the safety challenges posed by large-scale religious gatherings.
First Piper 