• Home
  • Social
  • Tragedy at Maha Kumbh 2025: Stampede Claims 30 Lives Amidst 7.5 Crore Devotees

Tragedy at Maha Kumbh 2025: Stampede Claims 30 Lives Amidst 7.5 Crore Devotees

Thirty pilgrims were killed and sixty injured in a predawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya.

Tragedy at Maha Kumbh 2025: Stampede Claims 30 Lives Amidst 7.5 Crore Devotees

Early on Wednesday, a predawn stampede in the Maha Kumbh's Sangam neighbourhood killed thirty people and injured sixty more. On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, millions of pilgrims fought for space to take a sacred bath, causing the stampede.

 

Witnesses reported that the stampede was triggered when pilgrims attempted to break through barricades to join a procession of holy men, leading to a deadly crush. The sudden surge left many with no chance for escape, resulting in suffocation and trampling.

 

Despite extensive preparations, including the installation of tents, toilets, bridges, and streetlights, as well as security measures like 1,600 CCTV cameras, crowd management proved challenging. The sheer number of attendees overwhelmed the infrastructure, leading to fatal outcomes.

 

In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry and compensation for the victims' families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, "Deeply pained by the loss of lives at the Kumbh Mela stampede. My thoughts are with the bereaved families."

 

A three-member judicial commission consisting of retired IAS VK Singh, former DG VK Gupta, and Justice Harsh Kumar was established by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to look into what caused the stampede. Additionally, he announced that each of the relatives of the deceased would receive ₹25 lakh in ex gratia payments.A clearly moved Adityanath stated, "It is necessary to get to the bottom of how such a tragedy transpired," and that the chief secretary and DGP would attend the Maha Kumbh on Thursday to conduct a thorough investigation into the unfortunate event.

 


New COVID-19 Variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 Identified in India, INSACOG Confirms; Health Officials Warn

New COVID-19 Variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 Identified in India, INSACOG Confirms; Health Officials Warn

Both variants are sub-lineages of the Omicron-lineage's JN.1 strain and are being monitored curr...
Delhi Registers 23 New COVID-19 Cases in 10 Days: Govt Calls for Alertness as Mild Variant Continues to Spread

Delhi Registers 23 New COVID-19 Cases in 10 Days: Govt Calls for Alertness as Mild Variant Continues to Spread

Even though all the reported cases are mild and not requiring hospitalisation, the Delhi government ...
Islam as a fait accompli
BT Exclusive

Islam as a fait accompli

Joe Cocchirelli attempts to provide a historical insight into the evolution of western religion: fro...
NMACC Brings 'India Weekend' to New York's Lincoln Center in September 2025

NMACC Brings 'India Weekend' to New York's Lincoln Center in September 2025

Led by Nita Ambani, Reliance Foundation Chairperson, the initiative will see India's rich cultur...
BSF Thwarts Daring Infiltration Bid by 50 Militants during Pakistani Shelling in Samba

BSF Thwarts Daring Infiltration Bid by 50 Militants during Pakistani Shelling in Samba

The infiltration was made possible due to intense cross-border shelling by Pakistan, defying the cea...
JNU Cancels MoU with Turkish University Over National Security Worries

JNU Cancels MoU with Turkish University Over National Security Worries

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked in 2022 for student and staff exchange was called off am...
A R. Rahman: The Maestro Who Brought Indian Music to the Global Platform

A R. Rahman: The Maestro Who Brought Indian Music to the Global Platform

From Roja to Slumdog Millionaire, A. R. Rahman's sound has not just enthralled millions but rede...
Satyajit Ray: The Visionary Director Who Reconfigured Indian and Global Cinema

Satyajit Ray: The Visionary Director Who Reconfigured Indian and Global Cinema

With films such as Pather Panchali and Charulata, Ray deftly caught the intricacies of human emotion...
Deepika Padukone: Bollywood Icon, Global Sensation, Mental Health Champion

Deepika Padukone: Bollywood Icon, Global Sensation, Mental Health Champion

Deepika Padukone has left an enduring mark on the entertainment world, from a future badminton star ...
Nirmala Sitharaman: Navigating India's Economic and Strategic Horizons

Nirmala Sitharaman: Navigating India's Economic and Strategic Horizons

From her early years in Tamil Nadu to spearheading the nation's fiscal and defense initiatives, ...