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Updated 13:38 IST, January 29th 2025

'Devotees Got Trapped, Couldn't Get Up...': Eyewitnesses Share Exact Moment of Stampede in Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavsya

Eyewitnesses share exact moment of horror after several people were injured and casualties are feared following a stampede at Maha Kumbh.

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Maha Kumbh Stampede: Eyewitness Accounts
Maha Kumbh Stampede: Eyewitness Accounts | Image: PTI

Maha Kumbh Nagar: The special day of Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’ took a tragic turn for some devotees after the massive crowd triggered a stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj earlier today; casualties are feared and several people have been injured. Eyewitnesses share the exact moment of stampede and its aftermath…

‘Devotees Got Trapped, Couldn’t Get Up': Eyewitness Accounts of Maha Kumbh Stampede

Eyewitness accounts have shared the moment of stampede at the Maha Kumbh; one said that there was a surge in crowds about a kilometre from Sangam, while another said that several devotees broke through the barricades. Another eyewitness said, “Devotees did not know where to go after holy dip”; one said, “Many devotees fell down and didn’t know where to go” and another eyewitness revealed that “Some devotees got trapped and couldn't get up.”

‘We Got Trapped… We Were Begging for Our Children’

One of the devotees who had come to Prayagraj to participate in the Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’ and was unfortunately in the stampede, shared the horrific experience and how her son is injured and in a serious condition.

She said, “All of a sudden, we got trapped and a stampede broke out; there was no place for us to enter or get out. People were watching and laughing at us… one of my sons is in a serious condition and I don't know how to manage everything alone.”

'I Don't Know If My Mother is Alive or Not...': Eyewitness Share Horror

Another eyewitness, who had come to Prayagraj from Madhya Pradesh 's Chhatarpur district, spoke about how his mother was in a serious condition and he is not aware whether she is dead or alive. 

Sharing the horror he witnessed, the eyewitness said, “There was no one to help and manage the crowd… a lot of people, at least 30-40 people have been injured, don't know how many of them are safe. My mother too, was injured and is serious… don't know if she is alive or not.”

'Lost a Few Lives': PM Modi Confirms Deaths in Maha Kumbh Stampede

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered his deepest condolences to the devotees who lost their family members in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, describing the tragedy as extremely saddening.

In a post on X, he said the local administration in Prayagraj is giving all possible help to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

He said, "I have been speaking to Chief Minister Yogi ji and am in constant touch with the state government." A stampede broke out at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Several casualties are feared.

While addressing a public gathering in the national capital ahead of the Delhi Polls, PM Modi has spoken about the stampede at Maha Kumbh and has confirmed deaths. He has said, "We have lost a few lives, several people are injured. I am saddened to lose lives on an auspicious day and am praying for the souls of those departed in the stampede." He further said, "I am constantly in touch with the state government."

Maha Kumbh Stampede: Several People Injured, Casualties Feared

Multiple casualties were feared after a stampede broke out at the Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya, officials said. Officer on Special Duty for the Mela Akanksha Rana said, "Some people have got injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured".

Those injured were taken to the central hospital established in the Mela area. Relatives of many injured also reached there as did some senior administrative and police officials.

PM Modi Calls UP CM Yogi Adityanath to Review Situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday to review the situation at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The Prime Minister called for immediate support measures. Rescue operations are underway, and those injured in the chaos caused by the large crowd have been taken to Central Hospital.

Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan Resumes

The Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, which had been halted following the stampede, has resumed. Devotees are gathering in large numbers at the Mahakumbh Mela on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, with security being tightened ahead of the Amrit Snan. Authorities are ensuring safety as the crowd continues to gather at ghat after stampede.

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday had said that due to the stampede-like situation at Maha Kumbh, the seers have called off their Mauni Amavasya's Amrit Snan. "You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Mahant Ravindra Puri had told PTI Videos.

(Inputs from Agencies)

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Published 07:13 IST, January 29th 2025