Tue Jan 28 20:40:00 IST 2025: ## Stampede at Kumbh Mela Leaves Several Dead, Dozens Injured
**Prayagraj, India** – A stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, just before the highly anticipated Shahi Snan (royal bath) on Mauni Amavasya (new moon day), has resulted in several deaths and numerous injuries. While authorities have yet to officially confirm the death toll, eyewitness accounts and reports from overwhelmed hospitals suggest a significant number of fatalities. More than 20 ambulances rushed victims to hospitals, with approximately 20 already admitted to the Kumbh Mela hospital alone. All district hospitals have been placed on high alert.
The stampede occurred at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, the very spot where the ceremonial bath was to take place. According to witnesses, a surge in the crowd, exacerbated by a collapsing barrier, triggered the chaos. One woman, Sarojini from Belgaum, Karnataka, recounted a collapsing pillar initiating the panic and claimed the death of an elderly couple she was with. Another witness, Jhooku Lal from Gonda, reported the death of his uncle, 44-year-old Nankan.
The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., left many separated from their loved ones. Hospitals are crowded with the injured and those separated from family, with reports of people being trampled and unable to get up amidst the surging crowd. Police are appealing to those separated from their families to contact authorities. The sheer volume of pilgrims, who had begun arriving late Sunday night in anticipation of Mauni Amavasya, overwhelmed the area, with some even attempting to breach security barriers. Authorities are working to restore order and assess the full extent of the tragedy. The incident has cast a pall over the ongoing religious festival.
First Piper 