A stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj early Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 30 people and left 60 others injured, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna.
Twenty-five bodies have been identified, while efforts are underway to confirm the identities of the remaining victims, Krishna said during a press conference. Among the deceased, four were from Karnataka, one from Assam, and one from Gujarat.
Authorities reported that 36 injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at a local medical college. Krishna stated that, considering the flow of devotees, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged saints and Akharas to delay their scheduled holy dips. The Amrit Snan of the Akharas has been completed.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when a large crowd gathered on the Akhara Marg, causing barricades to collapse. As the barrier gave way, the crowd surged forward, trampling devotees who were waiting to take a holy dip. Emergency responders transported around 90 people to hospitals, where 30 were confirmed dead.
In light of the incident, Adityanath has postponed his visit to Delhi for the upcoming election campaign.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He said that adherence to administrative instructions is necessary for ensuring safety.
(ANI)