NEW DELHI: Eyewitnesses have recounted the terrifying moments of a stampede that broke out early Wednesday morning at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh, leaving numerous people injured.
One witness described the harrowing scene, including the moment when a family member went missing. “My sister, my sister-in-law, everyone was there, but one person was missing. They dragged him away, but he fell… he fell down,” she shared with IANS.
Another eyewitness expressed frustration over the delayed response from emergency services at the world’s largest religious gathering in Prayagraj, despite numerous calls for help. “We contacted the CRPF and the police long ago, but no one arrived. It’s been half an hour, and we had to take our injured person to the hospital ourselves,” she said.
Vidhya Sahu, a devotee from Belagavi, Karnataka, also witnessed the chaos and how the crowd led to dangerous situations. “We were just walking when people from behind pushed us. There was a pole in front of us, and everyone got stuck around it,” she recounted.
Jay Prakash Swami, who was at Sangam with his family, shared how a family member got trapped in the crowd. “She was stuck under the crowd and couldn’t get up. We were all caught in it. I was the first to get out, then I helped my children, father, and mother,” he said.
One devotee, still searching for a missing companion, recalled the confusion: “We were stuck in the crowd. When we reached the Sangam, it turned into complete chaos. We tried to get out but fell and lost our way. We don’t know where we are. I’m really worried about my brother-in-law, Chandrapal.”
To stay together in the overwhelming crowd, many devotees were seen using clothes to form makeshift ropes to keep hold of each other.
In response to the situation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to bathe at the nearest Ganga shore, rather than attempting to reach the Sangam. “Dear devotees, take your bath at the nearest Ganga ghat, and avoid going toward the Sangam Nose. Please follow the administration’s instructions for your safety,” he posted on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Chief Minister Adityanath to assess the situation. As rescue operations continue, authorities have put the second Amrit Snan on hold.
