Mahakumbh 2025 : Akharas call off Amrit Snan after stampede; RAF deployed for crowd control

A stampede took place at the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday as large crowds thronged the ghats for a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya amid the ongoing Mahakumbh.

Officials haven’t issued an update on the number of casualties, but people in knowledge of developments told on condition of anonymity that at least 15 bodies have been brought to hospitals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah called up Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to take stock of the situation.

According to a Prayagraj-based social media content creator, an eyewitness, the stampede took place around 2:30 am when a large number of devotees reached at the Sangam banks.

“The problem was mainly due to the fact crowd had no idea where to go after bathing. These people were carrying heavy luggage on their head. There were large number of iron dustbins that could not be seen by pilgrims. A few people fell as they lost balance. Their luggage could be seen all over the area,” he said.