Stampede at Mahakumbh: 30 Dead, Barricade Removal Blamed

A stampede at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh has resulted in the death of 30 people, according to Uttar Pradesh Police. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, as confirmed by Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna. He stated that the death toll has now risen to 30, while 36 others are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

Authorities have identified 25 of the deceased, while efforts are ongoing to determine the identities of the remaining five victims. The stampede reportedly took place between 1 AM and 2 AM due to an unexpected surge in devotees for the Mauni Amavasya holy bath. The removal of barricades at multiple locations, in an attempt to ease congestion, led to the tragic event, Vaibhav Krishna explained.

The Mahakumbh Mela, which began on January 13 at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, will continue until February. Held once every 144 years, the event has seen an overwhelming turnout of pilgrims. In just 16 days, nearly 19.94 crore devotees have participated, and on Wednesday alone, organizers estimate that nearly 8 crore people may attend due to Mauni Amavasya’s religious significance.