Wed Jan 29 17:14:59 UTC 2025: ## 30 Killed in Stampede at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela
**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 pilgrims and injured 60 more, police confirmed today. The incident occurred at the Sangam area, a confluence of rivers considered sacred, during the Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela.
The stampede erupted as a large crowd of pilgrims surged forward to take a holy dip in the river, overwhelming security barricades. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with people falling and being trampled. One pilgrim, Sarojini from Karnataka, recounted how her group became trapped in the surging crowd, describing a terrifying experience of being pushed and unable to escape. Another witness at a local hospital reported seeing people laughing as they pushed others, even children, in the overwhelming crowd.
Police officer Vaibhav Krishna, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, stated that while barricades were in place for crowd control, they proved insufficient to manage the pressure of the throng. He added that 25 of the deceased have been identified.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a three-member judicial commission to investigate the incident and ordered an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh (approximately $300,000 USD) to the families of each victim. He expressed deep emotion over the tragedy and stated that the Chief Secretary and DGP would conduct a thorough investigation. While police claim the situation is now under control, the incident raises serious questions about crowd management at the massive religious gathering. Religious leaders have also commented on the incident and pledged to help facilitate a more orderly process for future pilgrims.
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