At least 10 people have been killed in the late-night stampede that broke out at Maha Kumbh Sangam in Prayagraj, UP, on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The number of casualties has not been officially confirmed, but hospital sources said at least 10 people have died.
A stampede-like situation occurred at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, ahead of the ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya,’ leaving several devotees injured. According to officials, the chaos was triggered by the massive crowd, which led to several women being suffocated.
Ambulances were dispatched, and the injured were moved to nearby hospitals for treatment. Around 25-30 women were admitted to a hospital within the Maha Kumbh grounds. Following the incident, the ‘Amrit Snan,’ the mass holy dip in the Ganga, was delayed. Several akhadas called off the snan after the incident.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is considered the most important ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, the event holds additional spiritual significance due to a rare celestial alignment called ‘Triveni Yog,’ which occurs once every 144 years.
A devotee told ABP News that a few police personnel were there at the spot, but the number was not enough. “The police could not anticipate the crowd. They had no control. Had they been prepared, this could have been prevented,” he said.
(This is a developing story and is being updated.)
