Mahakumbh Stampede : 10 Dead, 30 Injured in Stampede at Sangam Ghat
In a heartrending turn of events, the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj was marred by a stampede on the morning of Mauni Amavasya. The incident, which occurred at the revered Sangam Ghat, has left nearly 10 people feared dead and over 30, including many women, injured.
The chaos unfolded when the large crowds gathered for the holy dip or ‘Amrit Snan’ overwhelmed the safety barriers, leading to a stampede-like situation. Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana explained that the tragedy was triggered by the breaking of barricades under the pressure of the massive crowd. “Some people have been injured. They are under treatment. It is not a serious situation,” she stated, although the scale of the incident suggests otherwise.
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In immediate response, the police were deployed to manage rescue operations. The injured were swiftly transported to a hospital in Sector 2, where a green corridor was established to facilitate quick medical attention. Hospitals across Prayagraj were put on high alert, ensuring doctors were ready to treat the victims of this tragic event.
The stampede led to the cancellation of the Amrit Snan by the Akharas, a decision made to prevent further accidents and to manage the crowd better. Drone visuals from earlier in the day showed just how packed the ghats were, setting the stage for the unfortunate event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally contacted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation, urging immediate measures for support. Similarly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to assure full support from the central government to handle the aftermath.
This incident at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings has not only disrupted the spiritual activities but also raised significant concerns about crowd management and safety at such events. As the Mahakumbh continues, authorities are now focusing on implementing stricter crowd control measures to ensure the safety of millions of devotees who come to this sacred confluence for spiritual cleansing.
The tragedy at Mahakumbh serves as a grim reminder of the challenges in managing large gatherings, emphasizing the need for better planning and emergency preparedness in future events.
