Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh amid Mauni Amavasya rush, several injured
Mahakumbh Stampede occurred when a barrier broke at the Sangam, causing a surge in the dense crowd
 "Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh amid Mauni Amavasya rush, several injured")
A stampede-like situation broke out at the Maha Kumbh in the early hours of Wednesday ahead of the 'Amrit Snan' on Mauni Amavasya, leaving several people injured. Around 100 million pilgrims are expected to gather at the Sangam Ghats today on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, according to ANI.
Barrier collapse triggers chaos at Maha Kumbh
The incident occurred when a barrier broke at the Sangam, causing a surge in the dense crowd. Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, Akanksha Rana, confirmed that the injured had been rushed to the hospital, though the exact number is yet to be determined. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as devotees were trapped and injured, while anxious relatives flocked to hospitals in search of their loved ones.
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PM Modi reviews situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures following the incident. PM Modi is continuously monitoring the situation and has spoken with the chief minister three times till now. Also Read: Mauni Amavasya Maha Kumbh Mela Travel Guide 2025: Know how to book tickets Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to CM Yogi Adityanath following the stampede and assured him of full suppoort from the Centre.
Akharas call off Mauni Amavasya 'Amrit Snan'
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri announced that seers had decided to call off the Mauni Amavasya 'Amrit Snan' due to the situation. "Our saints and seers were ready for the snan when we were informed about the incident. That’s why we decided to call it off," he told PTI.
According to tradition, Akharas from the three sects—Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen—take the holy dip in a set sequence, following a grand procession to the Sangam Ghat. The seers and saints, including the ash-smeared Nagas, take a holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati on Mauni Amavasya, which is marked by celestial alignments and hold great spiritual significance for Hindus.
Opposition leaders' reactions
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over stampede-like situation that occured at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In a post on X, Yadav said "The news of casualties of devotees in the mismanagement accident in Maha Kumbh is very sad'. He called on the Uttar Pradesh government to take immediate action to support the injured and prevent further such incidents. He further said air ambulances should be deployed to transport those seriously injured and called for "swift arrangements to identify the deceased and return their bodies to their families."
He also appealed to devotees to remain patient and calm during this difficult time and asked the government to learn from the incident to improve future arrangements for pilgrims. Yadav further demanded the immediate handover of the Maha Kumbh Mela's administration and management to the Indian Army.
Congress hit out at the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the 'stampede-like' situation at the Sangam, demanding that the Maha Kumbh management be handed over to a better administrator than Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief on social media platform X. He wrote "The news of several people being killed and many being injured due to stampede at Prayagraj Mahakumbh is extremely sad.I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. Mismanagement, mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident."
He further urged the Congress workers and leaders to help the affected families.
(With inputs from agencies)