Thu Jan 30 01:18:24 UTC 2025: ## Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Stampede Leaves at Least 30 Dead, Dozens Injured

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, early Wednesday morning, January 29, 2025, resulted in at least 30 deaths and over 60 injuries. The incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. near the Sangam confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, as millions of pilgrims gathered for the Mauni Amavasya holy dip.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, the stampede was triggered when a large crowd overwhelmed barricades. Graphic scenes unfolded as panicked pilgrims jostled for space, leading to multiple casualties. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with scattered belongings and injured individuals being carried away on stretchers. A Bahraich Police sub-inspector also died on Wednesday after falling ill while on duty at the Kumbh Mela.

While the Uttar Pradesh government initially remained tight-lipped on the casualty figures, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and numerous other dignitaries expressed their condolences. The scheduled “Amrit Snan,” a traditional bathing ritual of akharas (religious orders), was postponed due to the stampede but resumed later in the day with significantly reduced participation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the incident, headed by retired judge Harsh Kumar, and promised an ex-gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of each victim. He also implemented new crowd management guidelines and deployed additional personnel to improve security arrangements for upcoming events. The state government defended its response, citing the rapid deployment of ambulances and medical personnel.

However, opposition parties heavily criticized the state government’s handling of the event, citing inadequate crowd control measures and alleging that the “VIP culture” contributed to the tragedy. Several opposition leaders called for the army to take over management of the Maha Kumbh. The CPI(M) and Congress party specifically condemned the mismanagement and questioned the effectiveness of the large sums spent on the event. Calls for a thorough investigation into the incident and improved safety measures for future religious gatherings are growing. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also requested airlines to maintain reasonable airfares to and from Prayagraj. IndiGo Airlines announced fare reductions on these routes in response. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability.

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