30 killed in Maha Kumbh stampede during Mauni Amavasya rituals. Eyewitness accounts, crowd management failures, and government response analyzed.
Key Takeaways:
- Crowd Density Limits: Urgent need for real-time monitoring upgrades.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Wider ghats and visible signage required.
- Accountability: Judicial probe results awaited by February 2025.
Investigative report on the Maha Kumbh stampede during Mauni Amavasya rituals in Prayagraj: 30 fatalities, crowd management failures, eyewitness accounts, and government response. This report synthesizes data from 35 sources, including eyewitness testimonies, government statements, and technical analyses.
A pre-dawn stampede during Mauni Amavasya rituals at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025, killed at least 30 devotees and injured over 60, exposing critical lapses in crowd management at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The incident occurred as millions surged toward the Sangam riverbank for a holy dip, overwhelming barricades and crushing bystanders.
Maha Kumbh Stampede – Chronology of Events
- 1:00 AM: Over 8 crore pilgrims gathered at Sangam Nose for Mauni Amavasya’s “Amrit Snan”.
- 1:30–2:00 AM: Barricades near Akhara Marg collapsed under crowd pressure, triggering a stampede.
- 2:30 AM: Eyewitnesses reported hidden iron dustbins and luggage causing tripping, exacerbating chaos.
- 3:00 AM: Ambulances rushed 90 injured to hospitals; 30 declared dead by morning.
Eyewitness Accounts: “A Tornado of People”
Survivors described scenes of panic and delayed emergency response:
- Maul Devi (Eastern UP): “Young men ran like a tornado—no control, only mayhem. My sister was crushed before my eyes”.
- Vivek Mishra (Prayagraj): “People fell over dustbins they couldn’t see. I barely escaped after losing my shoes”.
- Laxmi (Chhatrapur, MP): “Police vanished after ordering an early dip. My sister-in-law died in the rush”.
Government Response and Compensation on Maha Kumbh Stampede
- Judicial Probe: UP CM Yogi Adityanath ordered a 3-member panel led by retired Justice Harsh Kumar to investigate.
- Compensation: ₹25 lakh ex-gratia for each victim’s family.
- Immediate Measures: No-vehicle zones enforced in the Mela area. VVIP passes canceled; one-way traffic systems implemented. Senior IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami deployed for crowd control.
Technological Shortcomings and Criticism
Despite AI-driven crowd analytics and 2,700 CCTV cameras, the tragedy highlighted systemic failures:
- AI Systems Overwhelmed: Predictive models failed to account for midnight surges.
- VIP Prioritization: Religious leader Premanand Puri accused authorities of neglecting safety for VIP logistics.
- Crowd Turbulence: Experts cited “human wave” dynamics and poor exit routes as key factors.
Maha Kumbh Stampede Post-Tragedy Measures
The UP government announced sweeping changes to prevent future incidents:
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Ban | Four-wheelers barred from Prayagraj until Feb 4. |
| Border Checkpoints | Pilgrims diverted to holding areas in neighboring districts. |
| Railway Coordination | 300+ trains deployed to ease congestion. |
Broader Implications
The stampede reignited debates about mass gathering safety in India, echoing the 2013 Kumbh tragedy that killed 36. While authorities touted AI and RFID tech, the focus on VIP management over pilgrim safety drew widespread condemnation. With 7.5 crore devotees still bathing post-incident, the Maha Kumbh’s spiritual significance continues—but its legacy is now marred by preventable loss.