Mahakumbh 2025: Eyewitnesses recount stampede at Sangam, leaving a number of useless and injured
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and panic as a stampede unfolded on the Sangam throughout the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, leaving a number of useless and lots of injured when a big crowd gathered for the holy tub on Mauni Amavasya.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the important thing ritual of the Maha Kumbh, attracting an estimated 10 crore pilgrims. This yr, the non secular significance of the day is heightened by the uncommon ‘Triveni Yog’ celestial alignment, which is happening after 144 years.
Vivek Mishra, an eyewitness, mentioned that the chaos on the Sangam was brought on by the gang not understanding the place to go, and hidden dustbins making individuals journey and lose steadiness.
Mishra mentioned the scenario worsened when individuals started pushing, which led to the stampede, and shared how he acquired injured whereas making an attempt to assist others within the chaos.
Officers haven’t confirmed the loss of life toll on the Mahakumbh.
“The incident occurred round 2.30 am when a lot of devotees arrived on the Sangam banks. The principle problem was that the gang didn’t know the place to go after bathing. Many individuals had been carrying heavy baggage on their heads, and there have been quite a few iron dustbins that pilgrims couldn’t see. Just a few individuals misplaced their steadiness and fell, and their baggage was scattered throughout. I additionally fell after my ft acquired caught in one of many dustbins, misplaced my sneakers, and was left barefoot. I injured my ft. I by some means acquired up and helped my dad and mom and one other girl who had been mendacity on the bottom. That’s when the children within the crowd began pushing others, resulting in the stampede. I can not totally describe what I noticed at floor zero,” mentioned Vivek Mishra.
Ram Singh, a resident of Fatehpur, mentioned the stampede occurred as a result of the exit route was blocked and the gang acquired trapped.
“The exit route was fully blocked, so the scenario worsened. 4 of our group had already gone forward, and we had advised them to remain at Nandni Dwar. The 4 of us acquired caught behind. Lots of people had been falling in entrance of us. The stampede occurred as a result of the highway was jammed,” mentioned Ram Singh, a resident of Fatehpur.
One other eyewitness, Baljeet Singh from Balia mentioned, “Instantly, there was such an enormous crowd that everybody acquired crushed. There have been 14 of us, and we couldn’t even inform the place anybody had gone. We had been going for the tub, and folks had been getting back from there. We didn’t even notice how the gang acquired so giant, after which individuals began falling.”
With inputs from Pawan Dixit
