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Kumbh Mela stampede updates: 25 people killed in stampede identified, says DIG Vaibhav Krishna

Prayagraj Kumbh Mela stampede updates: A stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath

Image BS Web Team New Delhi
Prayagraj Stampede, MahaKumbh Stampede, Stampede

The pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh broke out as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. (Photo: PTI)

Mahakumbh Stampede LIVE updates: At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. The pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh broke out as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days. DIG Vaibhav Krishna told a press conference here in the evening the stampede has left 30 dead and 60 others injured.  Distressed relatives lined up outside a temporary medical facility seeking information about missing family members, while rescue workers tended to the injured and  police tried to manage the crowds. Multiple casualties were feared with many more wounded after thousands of worshippers rushed toward the river for ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh festival. Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the devotees who have lost their loved ones in the stampede. in a post on X , PM Modi said,"  I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way."  The exact number of casualties remains unclear. The Akharas suspended their traditional 'Amrit Snan' ritual following the incident, though many devotees continued bathing at the Sangam and nearby ghats. Mela Officer Akanksha Rana confirmed injuries occurred when a barrier failed, with the injured being taken to hospitals. 
Prime Minister Modi discussed the situation with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and directed immediate assistance measures.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, coinciding with a rare 'Triveni Yog' celestial alignment occurring after 144 years, is the Maha Kumbh's most important ritual, expected to attract approximately 100 million pilgrims. 
Around 2 AM, ambulances and police vehicles rushed to the scene, their sirens cutting through the religious chants playing on loudspeakers throughout the festival grounds. The injured were transported to the festival's central hospital, where family members and senior officials gathered. 
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday 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 said.
 
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1:35 PM

25 of 30 people killed in stampede identified: DIG Vaibhav Krishna

DIG Vaibhav Krishna informed in a press conference that 25 of the 30 people got killed in Maha Kumbh stampede have been identified. He further informed that 36 are undergoing treatment, while some have been sent with their family.
12:34 PM

Himachal CM expresses grief over Maha Kumbh stampede tragedy

Evryone around the corners of the country is responding to a tragic Maha Kumbh stampede. From PM to politicians from every party to businessman Gautam Adani are expressing their condolences. In the same, Himachal CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, according to an official statement from the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
11:21 AM

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expresses grief over stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He also prayed to the Almighty for peace for the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families to endure this irreparable loss.
11:17 AM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condoles 'pilgrim deaths' at Kumbh Mela

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh, which has claimed at least 15 innocent lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved pilgrim families. My learning from our Gangasagar Mela is that planning and care must be maximal in matters relating to pilgrims' lives in vast assemblies of people. Prayers for the departed souls," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.
10:53 AM

Akharas resume 'Amrit snan'

Amrit snan, the traditional bathing ritual of akharas that was deferred due to the stampede at Maha Kumbh, resumed on Wednesday. Led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, the procession of akharas made its way on foot towards the Sangam for the snan.
10:49 AM

VIP culture is the main problem: Aam Aadmi Party

The Aam Aadmi Party criticised the administrative setup for the stampede, calling for an end to VIP culture. “We never wanted to comment on this, but the reality is clear - VIP culture is the main problem. Roads are being closed for VIP movement, causing chaos for the devotees,” Singh claimed.
10:45 AM

Nearly 40 bodies at morgue after Maha Kumbh stampede

According to police sources speaking to Reuters, nearly 40 bodies were transported to a hospital morgue following a stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. As of twelve hours after the incident, local authorities had not yet released any official casualty figures.
10:20 AM

A look at India's deadliest stampedes

Stampedes at religious festivals have occurred in the past due to high footfall and limited crowd control measures. Here’s a look at similar incidents in India over the years:
 
-January 2025: Andhra Pradesh temple tragedy
-July 2024: Hathras disaster
-January 2022: Vaishno Devi stampede
-November 2013: Ratangarh temple disaster

Read here for a detailed story.
 
 
10:09 AM

Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE updates: Amit Shah says he in constant touch with UP CM

Home Minister Amit Shah stated that he is in constant touch with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the local administration.
 
9:23 AM

Restrictions for VIP visits created Kumbh tragedy, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader

More than Rs 10,000 crore has been spent for the management of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, the party’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut stated.  The party leader asked who was responsible for the stampede at the Maha Kumbh and alleged that cordoning of certain parts of the riverbank for visits by Ministers leads to such situations.
 
9:09 AM

Priyanka Gandhi urges UP government to arrange for proper treatment of those injured

“The news of large number of devotees being killed in the accident that took place on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya at the holy place Prayagraj is extremely sad. May God give peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Efforts should also be made to complete the centuries-old tradition of the Shahi Snan of the Akharas. Devotees are requested to complete the bath and donation with patience and peace,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said on X. 
8:57 AM

Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called the accident extremely painful. 
 
8:46 AM

Kumbh Mela updates 2025: Seer questions 'prioritising' of VIPs over public

Religious leader Mahamandleshwar Premanand Puri hit out at the authorities, accusing them of prioritising VIPs over public safety.
7:53 AM

Hoping for speedy recovery of injured devotees, says President Droupadi Murmu

Condoling the stampede incident at the Maha Kumbh, President Droupadi Murmu stated that the stampede incident at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad.
7:50 AM

Yogi Adityanath govt fully responsible, he should resign for this: Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj

“This is a very serious issue. The Uttar Pradesh government invited the entire country and millions of people to the Maha Kumbh, making good arrangements. However, the state’s chief minister, who should have overseen the arrangements, left for political rallies in Delhi. This is a huge blunder. The BJP government has turned a religious event into a political one. Yogi Adityanath and the administration are fully responsible for this situation, and he should resign for this,” says Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj.

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First Published: Jan 29 2025 | 10:18 AM IST

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