Thu Jan 30 10:01:48 UTC 2025: ## Deadly Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela Claims 30 Lives, Prompts Major Safety Overhaul

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, January 29th, resulted in the deaths of at least 30 pilgrims and injured over 60. The incident occurred between 1 am and 2 am near the Sangam area, as millions gathered for the Mauni Amavasya holy dip, one of the most auspicious days of the religious festival.

Devotees attempting to bypass barricades designed for crowd control triggered the stampede. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with people suffocating, pushing, and being trapped. The Uttar Pradesh government confirmed that over 55.11 lakh (5.5 million) devotees had participated in the holy dip before the tragedy.

In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a three-member judicial inquiry headed by retired judge Harsh Kumar to investigate the incident. He also declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh (approximately $300,000 USD) to the families of each victim. The government has also implemented several emergency measures, including:

* **Enhanced Crowd Management:** Increased security personnel deployment, stricter crowd control measures, and a review of traffic management protocols. Senior officials with experience in managing large-scale events have been assigned to oversee operations.
* **Helpline Establishment:** A helpline, 1920, has been activated to assist those affected.
* **VIP Pass Cancellation:** VVIP passes have been cancelled, and one-way traffic has been implemented to improve crowd flow.

The ‘Amrit Snan’ ceremony, originally scheduled for the early morning, was postponed and later conducted safely in the afternoon after crowd control measures were put in place. Despite dense fog impacting visibility, millions of devotees continued to attend the Mela. The IMD has predicted foggy conditions to persist until January 31st.

The incident has prompted widespread grief and calls for accountability. Several Chief Ministers across India, including those from Karnataka, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, expressed their condolences and urged devotees to exercise caution. Political parties, such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have criticized the administration for inadequate crowd management and urged a review of VIP movement protocols within the Mela grounds. The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela continues, but under significantly heightened security and crowd control measures.

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