Maha Kumbh Stampede: What Happened At Triveni Sangam? First Reaction From Eyewitness, Victims' Families

A stampede occurred at the Triveni Sangam on Wednesday morning, as crores of devotees gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

The incident occurred during the Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, where an estimated 10 crore pilgrims were expected to take part in the Amrit Snan, the most significant ritual of the event, on Wednesday.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the stampede has claimed the lives of at least 15 people, while several others remain missing or injured. Panic ensued as the crowd surged forward, leading to chaos near the Sangam shore.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Stampede

Many who were present described terrifying scenes of people being trapped and struggling to escape the crush. Vidhya Sahu, a devotee from Karnataka, recounted the horrific moments: "We have come from Belagavi, Karnataka. We were just walking when people from behind pushed us and took us around. There was a pole in the opposite direction, and everyone got stuck near it..."

Another eyewitness, Jay Prakash Swami, shared his harrowing experience: "She had gotten trapped under the crowd and couldn't get up. We were all stuck in the crowd. I was the first to get out, then I helped the children and my father and my mother..."

Family members of the missing expressed their anguish and uncertainty. "We were stuck in the crowd. As soon as we reached near the Sangam, there was chaos. We managed to get out of the crowd but fell down and lost our way. We don't know where we are. I am worried about my brother-in-law, Chandrapal..."

Authorities Scramble to Manage the Crisis

In response to the tragic incident, officials have implemented a diversion plan to control the overwhelming number of devotees. Entry into the Sangam area has been temporarily halted, and groups of pilgrims are being stopped outside the city limits to prevent further casualties.

Meanwhile, some devotees have raised concerns about the delay in response from authorities. One distressed eyewitness said: "We called the CRPF and the police a long time ago, but no one has come yet. It's been half an hour, and we have taken our person to the hospital..."

Another devastated witness described a heart-wrenching moment: "My sister, sister's daughter-in-law, everyone was there. But one person was missing. They dragged him and took him away. He fell down. He fell down..."In view of the incident, the Akharas called off their traditional 'Amrit Snan' for Mauni Amavasya, even as devotees in large numbers continued to take a dip at Sangam and other ghats in the Mela area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for immediate support measures, PTI reported citing officials.

Around 2 am, the blaring sirens of ambulances and police vehicles rushing to the Sangam pierced through the continuous chants of mantras and shlokas echoing from loudspeakers across the Kumbh Mela area. Those injured were taken to the central hospital established in the Mela area.

"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'," Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said.

As per tradition of the Kumbh Mela, Akharas belonging to the three sects 'Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen' take the holy dip in a set sequence following a majestic, awe-inspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat. The Triveni Sangam -- confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati -- is considered the holiest by Hindus, with a belief that taking a dip in it during Maha Kumbh and particularly on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya washes away people's sins and provides them 'moksha' or salvation.

Visitors were reminded to remain patient at barricades and pontoon bridges, avoiding rushing or jostling to prevent accidents. The administration emphasised that "all ghats at Sangam are equally sacred", encouraging devotees to "bathe at the first ghat they reach to prevent overcrowding". Being held after 12 years, the Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13 and will continue till February 26. The UP government, hosting the fair, expects a total footfall of around 40 crore pilgrims at the largest spiritual gathering on the planet.

Ongoing Rescue and Relief Efforts

Rescue operations are currently underway, with authorities working to locate the missing and provide medical aid to the injured. Further details regarding the cause of the stampede and accountability are yet to be determined. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the sacred occasion, leaving countless families in mourning.

With inputs from agencies