Fri Jan 31 00:13:01 UTC 2025: ## Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Stampede Kills 30, Sparks Outrage and Investigation

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A stampede at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, India, early Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of at least 30 pilgrims and injuries to over 90. The incident occurred between 1 and 2 AM near the Sangam confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, as pilgrims gathered for the auspicious Mauni Amavasya bath. Local reports suggest a similar incident may have occurred earlier in the Jhūnsī area.

DIG (Kumbh Mela) Vaibhav Krishna attributed the stampede to overcrowding on a narrow path leading to the ghats, causing a barrier to collapse and triggering a surge of people. Authorities established a green corridor for ambulances, transporting 90 injured individuals to hospitals. While 25 of the deceased have been identified, five remain unidentified, with some victims hailing from other states like Karnataka, Assam, and Gujarat. The UP government has announced a compensation of ₹2.5 million (approximately $304,000 USD) to each victim’s family.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, visibly emotional in a press conference, expressed grief and announced a three-member judicial inquiry headed by Justice Harsh Kumar to investigate the incident. The committee also includes former DGP VK Gupta and retired IAS officer VK Singh. Additional administrative and police officials from the 2019 Kumbh Mela, including Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami, have been deployed to improve crowd management and safety measures.

The incident sparked widespread criticism and demands for accountability. Opposition parties called for a parliamentary discussion, criticizing the alleged prioritization of VIPs over ordinary pilgrims. Concerns were also raised about the lack of proper death certificates being issued to the families of the deceased, with allegations of mismanagement.

Despite the tragedy, millions continued to attend the Kumbh Mela. Authorities are working to improve crowd control and security measures, including the announcement that no VIP protocols will be in effect on key bathing days. Airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have responded to increased demand by adding flights and reducing fares. However, the stampede has cast a shadow over this major religious event, highlighting the challenges of managing such massive crowds.

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