At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a jostling before dawn at Maha Kumbh in the Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred when millions of pilgrims jostled so that the space takes a saint dive on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
According to the officials, the incident took place between 1 and 2 a.m. on Wednesday when the crowd broke the barricades and jumped on the other side, crushing those waiting there. More than 90 injured were transported to hospital, 30 of whom died.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, expressed condolences. Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry and a gratia of 25 rupees Lakh each for the families of the deceased.
“There is a huge crowd in Kumbh. Eight to ten blooms are present in Kumbh. Nearly six faithful crore came yesterday and gained a holy drop in the Sangam. The incident occurred between 1 hour and 2 in the morning.
Eye witnesses said that the sudden push of pilgrims to the Sangam, all motivated by the desire to take the Holy Diving at 3 am, was a key reason for the tragedy. The security personnel and the rescuers were seen relating to the wounded on civilians, with the personal effects of people scattered.
In addition, Prime Minister Modi said during a rally in Delhi that the bath had been interrupted to Maha Kumbh for a while, but he resumed later. “For some time, the bathing process has been interrupted, but now for several hours, the Yatris take a bath. I transmit my condolences to families again,” said Prime Minister Modi.
The jostling led to a temporary stop in the traditional bath ritual of the Akharas, but he resumed the afternoon after the pressure of the crowd decreased in the Ghats. Officials have urged the faithful to use designated tracks and avoid overcrowding to prevent such incidents.
This is the second major tragedy in Kumbh Mela in the last decade, after the 2013 Stock Exchange in a station that has killed dozens. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26.
The Uttar Pradesh government anticipates a total frequency of more than 40 crores of pilgrims during the spiritual gathering.
