Wed Jan 29 07:00:00 UTC 2025: **Kumbh Mela Stampede: At Least 12 Dead, Authorities Silent**
Prayagraj, India – A stampede during the auspicious “Amrit Snan” (holy bath) on Mauni Amavasya at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has reportedly claimed at least 12 lives. While administration officials have yet to release any official statement confirming casualties, a health worker, speaking to BBC Hindi on condition of anonymity, confirmed seeing at least 12 bodies at the scene.
The incident, which occurred at the Triveni Sangam Ghat, the main bathing ghat, left eyewitnesses describing scenes of chaos and panic. One eyewitness, Guddu, reported losing his wife and sister in the crush. Another survivor recounted seeing three people die under her as she fell during the stampede. BBC reporters on the ground observed numerous ambulances leaving the Kumbh Mela area hours after the incident, with a consistent flow of people still entering the main gate. At least 10 ambulances were observed leaving from the main gate alone.
BBC reporters also described a scene of widespread disorganization and distress in the aftermath, with many people separated from loved ones and searching for missing family members at the overwhelmed lost and found center.
Despite the reported high death toll and the ongoing chaos, authorities have yet to release official figures on casualties or offer any public statement on the incident. Reporters noted that even hours after the event, millions continued to arrive at the Kumbh Mela, with many unaware of the scale of the tragedy.
The immense crowds, estimated to have reached 28 million by morning based on government figures, overwhelmed the area, with several reports citing inadequate crowd control and confusion among pilgrims about directions and access to the ghats. One pilgrim reported being given misleading directions by police for hours. Another reporter noted a lack of police presence between the gates and the ghats, leading to overcrowding and pushing.
The Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13th, has already attracted an estimated 200 million pilgrims, according to official sources. The lack of official transparency following the stampede has raised serious concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at the massive religious gathering. BBC Hindi continues to investigate the incident.
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