Thu Jan 30 05:28:19 UTC 2025: ## Kumbh Mela Stampede Kills 30, Injures 60
**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, early Wednesday morning has claimed the lives of 30 people and left 60 injured. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. as thousands of devotees surged towards the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, the second Shahi Snan.
According to police, the tragedy unfolded when overcrowded devotees broke through barriers at the ghats. Many devotees were sleeping on the ground waiting for the auspicious Brahma Muhurat when the surging crowd trampled them. DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, stated that the collapse of barricades contributed to the incident.
Twenty-five victims have been identified, with efforts underway to identify the remaining five. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a court-monitored investigation and announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh (approximately $330,000 USD) for each victim’s family. He also appealed for calm, urging people not to spread rumors. While acknowledging the immense crowd – estimated at 8-10 crore (80-100 million) devotees – he assured that the situation was under control and that the holy bath would resume after crowd numbers decreased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via Twitter, calling the incident “extremely sad.” He confirmed that bathing was temporarily halted but has since resumed. Chief Minister Adityanath further appealed to pilgrims to use alternative ghats to avoid overcrowding at the Sangam Nose, the site of the stampede.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, began on January 13th and continues until February 26th. Authorities anticipate a total of around 40 crore (400 million) pilgrims during the event. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the safety challenges posed by the massive crowds attending this significant religious gathering.
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