On Tuesday, January 28, during the ongoing Prayagraj Mahakumbh, chaos erupted late at night as a sudden stampede ensued. The incident occurred when pilgrims were trying to reach the Sangam Nose. As panic spread, people ran in fear, and those who fell struggled to get back up for a long time.
The crowd trampled people, and those unfortunate enough to fall got caught in the chaos. Near the Sangam Nose, the shrieks filled the air. Reports indicate that more than 10 people are feared dead. Let's walk through the timeline to understand what transpired.
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The Complete Timeline of the Stampede
As early as 10 PM, people started crowding to the Sangam. Authorities wanted pilgrims to bathe and leave. However, the allure of the sacred Amrit Bath attracted many to gather. Everyone yearned to take a dip at the Sangam Nose during Mouni Amavasya.
The number of people only increased. Those who arrived specifically for the Mouni Amavasya bath occupied spots by spreading polythene sheets beside the barricades.
A dedicated path was reserved for the Akharas' Amrit Bath beginning at 5 AM, but around 1 AM, the crowd exceeded the path's capacity.
Source: aajtak
The police had planned to manage the crowd using specific barricades. However, by 1:45 to 2 AM, the crowd became uncontrollable, leaping over barricades to access the Sangam.
As people leapt over barricades, they fell on families who were sleeping, causing a wooden beam to break, which led to the crowd surging over people.
Those caught in the stampede, either sleeping or en route to bathe, were trampled and injured. Notably, within 5 minutes of receiving the alert, ambulances swiftly transported the injured to hospitals.
Read More: For all updates about Mahakumbh Stampede and Amrit Bath, click here
Source: aajtak
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What Happened After the Incident?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicated with CM Yogi four times via phone, seeking updates on rescue efforts.
CM Yogi appealed for pilgrims to avoid the Sangam Nose and instead bathe where they were stationed.
Initial reports suggested the cancellation of special trains. However, the railway later clarified that no trains were canceled.
After the stampede on the night of January 28, the Akharas initially decided against participating in the Amrit Bath. They later announced their participation.
Opposition parties criticized the UP government. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Sanjay Raut accused the administration of prioritizing VIPs.
