Wed Jan 29 14:01:40 UTC 2025: ## Maha Kumbh Stampede Leaves at Least 30 Dead, Dozens Injured

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, January 29, 2025** – A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, early Wednesday morning has claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left over 60 injured. The incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. at the Sangam area, as millions of pilgrims converged for a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna, the stampede resulted from a large crowd overwhelming barricades. While the Uttar Pradesh government has yet to release an official death toll, conflicting reports from various news agencies place the number of fatalities between 15 and 40. A doctor at a government hospital, speaking anonymously, confirmed at least 17 deaths and numerous injuries.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government’s management of the event. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate blamed “VIP culture” and mismanagement for the tragedy, alleging that prioritizing VIP movement led to chaos and ultimately caused the stampede. Similar accusations were leveled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with leader Sanjay Singh highlighting the alleged disregard of a request to involve the army in crowd management. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also condemned the event’s organization, questioning the allocation of over ₹10,000 crore for the Maha Kumbh’s management.

Several Chief Ministers, including those from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, expressed their condolences and offered assistance. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah also offered their condolences.

The traditional “amrit snan” bathing ritual, initially postponed due to the stampede, resumed later in the day with a significantly smaller procession. Authorities have appealed to pilgrims to utilize nearby ghats for bathing, avoiding the congested Sangam area. Measures are being taken to manage the remaining crowds and prevent further incidents. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the causes of the stampede and improved crowd management measures for future events. The mobile network outage in Prayagraj added to the difficulties faced by families trying to locate loved ones following the stampede.

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