A devastating stampede occurred during the royal bath of Mouni Amavasya at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj. Fears of over 10 tragic deaths have emerged as safety barriers couldn’t withstand the immense crowd pressure, unraveling into chaos. Authorities rushed into action, spearheading rescue and relief efforts.
By 5 AM, when the royal bath was scheduled, police efficiently cleared pathways by repairing broken barricades, showing remarkable coordination in securing the site.
At approximately 2 AM, an overwhelming influx of devotees congested the Sangam shores. In a dramatic turn, part of the barricade crumbled, causing an ungovernable stampede. Panicked devotees scattered frantically, leaving personal belongings behind, intensifying the disorder. An eyewitness narrated, "We were walking calmly when a massive crowd surged, pushing in all directions. We tried to escape, but there was no space. Everything was in chaos and several people were injured. The situation was bewildering."
Hearing about the stampede, teams of police, paramilitary forces, and fire services swiftly arrived at the scene. The timely presence of an all-terrain fire service vehicle within the Sangam area was pivotal. This vehicle facilitated the quick evacuation of several injured individuals, as confirmed by Chief Fire Officer Bharatendu Joshi, who noted that a young girl was swiftly transported to an ambulance thanks to this vehicle.
The Challenge of Devotee Overcrowding
On Mouni Amavasya, countless devotees flooded the Sangam for the ritual bath. Although police set up barricades to regulate the crowd, the sheer volume overwhelmed controls. Civil defense forces and paramilitary personnel strived to manage the crowd, but the numbers were insurmountable, leading to widespread chaos.
Source: aajtak
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In the aftermath, administration is actively working to regain control of the situation. Meanwhile, Mahant Raju Das released a video statement postponing their scheduled Amrit bath set for 8:30 AM, pending discussions with the administration.
An investigation has been commissioned to probe the incident, and relief efforts are progressing. Police intensify monitoring across the entire area, urging pilgrims to remain patient and adhere to administrative instructions.
Former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti also expressed her views on the unfortunate incident. She remarked, "What happened is regrettable. Over 120 million devotees have journeyed to the Kumbh area. The situation will unfold accordingly, but it is under investigation how this occurred. The massive crowd, surpassing expectations, has compounded the situation. Various camps are fully occupied, wherever you look, there are pilgrims. It's inappropriate to conclude that there was a shortfall in preparations."
