Prayagraj: A stampede at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of 20 devotees and left over 70 injured on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred amid a massive gathering for Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant bathing days of the festival.
महाकुंभ में भगदड़ की भयानक तस्वीरें !!
बड़ी संख्या में लोगों के हताहत होने की खबरें हैं। सिर्फ ऑफिशियल कन्फर्म का इंतजार है।
#MahakumbhStampede #MahaKumbh2025 #pryagraj pic.twitter.com/7XeNQeYenV
— Dr. Jyotsana (jyoti) (@DrJyotsana51400) January 29, 2025
According to officials, a surge in the crowd at Prayagraj Sector-2 led to the collapse of barricades, triggering the stampede. Devotees had started gathering as early as midnight for the *Amrit Snan* (holy dip). The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Authorities had issued advisories urging devotees to complete their rituals swiftly and avoid staying overnight at the ghats. However, the turnout exceeded expectations, leading to overcrowding and chaos. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and assess crowd management measures.