Prayagraj, Jan 29 (UNI): At least 30 devotees died and 90 others injured in a stampede after barricades collapsed on the Sangam bank at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj early on Wednesday, a senior police officer said here.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna said that the incident took place between 1 am and 2 am when the barricades installed in the Akhara area gave way leading to chaos among the people waiting for the ‘Brahma Muhurat’ for taking holy dip.
President Droupadi Murmu taking to ‘X’ said, “The stampede incident at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I express my condolences to the families of the injured devotees and pray to God that all the injured devotees recover soon.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in constant touch with the state government, condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
Taking to X, the PM wrote, “The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way.
I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji in this regard and I am constantly in touch with the state government.”
The DIG said that the barricades broke due to extreme pressure from the crowd on the other side. “Devotees, who were sleeping or waiting for the Brahma Muhurta on the other side of the barricades, were crushed by the crowd coming from the other side due to chaos,” he said.
Krishna said that rescue and relief work was launched immediately. 90 people were injured in the incident and were taken to the hospital with the help of ambulances by creating a green corridor.
“So far 25 deceased have been identified and efforts are on to identify others. 36 devotees are being treated at the local medical college. Some of the deceased were from other states like four from Karnataka and one each from Assam and Gujarat,” he said.
The DIG also said that the list of the deceased will be shared later. “Some of the deceased have been taken by their family members. The administration has issued a helpline number 1920 on which devotees, whose family members are missing, can contact. At present the situation is normal,” he said.
Krishna said that for the convenience of the devotees, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath talked to the saints and Mahamandaleshwars as Amrit Snan was to be held on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya and requested them to be a part of the ceremony. “The saints agreed due to which Amrit Snan was delayed and it was held later safe and sound,” he said.
The DIG clarified that no VIP protocol was followed on Wednesday due to the strict directives of the government. “Similar provisions will be followed on Vasant Panchami,” he said.
Chief Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand said that it is the priority of the administration that the devotees reach their destinations safely after taking bath.
Earlier, Adityanath briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the entire incident. Several rounds of high-level meetings were held at the CM’s residence to discuss urgent steps to tackle such incidents.
After the incident, Yogi had appealed to the people to offer prayers at the temple and take a bath near the ghats of the Ganga. He also urged the pilgrims to follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate with the authorities in making the arrangements, without paying attention to rumours.
