Thu Jan 30 14:12:07 UTC 2025: ## Second Stampede at Kumbh Mela Leaves Dozens Dead, Authorities Face Criticism for Delayed Response
**Prayagraj, India** – A second deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, according to sources. This incident, occurring just two kilometers from and hours after a first stampede near Sangam Nose, has sparked outrage and criticism over the authorities’ handling of the situation and alleged attempts to downplay the tragedy.
The second stampede took place in Jhusi, across the Ganga river, around 5:55 am on Wednesday. While the first incident near Sangam Nose around 1:30 am received immediate attention, the Jhusi stampede was largely unreported until much later. Sources suggest this silence was a deliberate attempt to prevent widespread panic among the millions of devotees still present at the Kumbh Mela.
Exclusive footage obtained by The Lallantop reveals piles of clothing, footwear, and discarded items cleared by tractors from the Jhusi site, evidence of the chaos and devastation. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of people being crushed and bodies left unattended for hours. One eyewitness reported seeing bodies lying on the ground for hours before being removed, with police arriving only four hours after the incident and attempting to prevent filming. Another described widespread looting, with approximately ₹180,000 stolen from a local kiosk.
The sheer scale of the crowd contributed to the disaster, with people breaking barricades and pushing forward. Limited space and blocked roads exacerbated the situation, leading to reports of theft. A sadhu claimed that a group of young men deliberately triggered the stampede by breaking barriers and pushing the crowd. The lack of immediate ambulance access on the Jhusi side further compounded the tragedy.
The Jhusi incident highlights severe lapses in crowd management and emergency response during the Mauni Amavasya, a day of significant religious importance drawing an estimated 55 million pilgrims to the Sangam. The authorities’ delayed response and alleged attempt to suppress information have raised serious questions about preparedness and transparency at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Investigations into the incident are underway.
First Piper 