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PremiumMaha Kumbh 2025 Highlights: Lakhs of devotees are arriving at Sangam on Wednesday for holy dip amid heightened security arrangements. Thirty people lost their lives on Wednesday in a deadly stampede.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of ₹25 lakh to the kins of the deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath, and other leaders paid condolences to the devotees who lost their loved ones in stampede in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.
Nealy 30 people have lost their lives in the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place between 1-2 AM at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj. 25 people have been identified and the identification of the remaining 5 is being done, ANI quoted UP CM Yogi Adityanath as saying.
Hours after 30 people died in stampede in Kumbh and several others injured, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered judicial inquiry to look into reasons.
Rescue operations were carried out after the incident occured at Sangam in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj ahead of Mauni Amavasya Snan. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation three times in an hour.
Meanwhile, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has urged people to not move towards Sangam Nose and take bath at the ghat near Maa Ganga. He has also asked people to not pay attention towards rumours.
“The situation in Prayagraj is under control but the crowd size remains massive. The saints of different Akhaaras have humbly said that devotees should take holy dip first and once crowds reduce Akharas will proceed for the holy dip," UP CM Adityanath told ANI.
Meanwhile, Akharas have begun taking holy dip after calling off the Amrit Snan for January 29 due to stampede. Later, it was decided that they will begin taking holy dip after reduction in crowd rush without any procession.
The official number of causalities could not be ascertained even as administration scrambled to control crowd that thronged the ghats and the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya, the day of 'second Shahi snan' at the Mahakumbh Mela.
“On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment. It is not a serious situation," Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana told news agency ANI.
The mega event at the Mahakumbh Mela at the Triveni Sangam, billed as the largest human gathering on earth, began on January 13 in Uttar Pradesh’s PrayagrajThe Mahakumbh concludes on February 26.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: One of the devotees who attended Mahakumbh 2025, shared her happiness for attending the religious gathering.
“Wanted to come here for a long time but we could never go to any Kumbh earlier. It is only because of the blessings of (UP CM) Yogi Adityanath, (PM) Narendra Modi, our elders," a devotee told ANI.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Devotees continue to arrive in Prayagraj for holy dip amid the ongoing Mahakumbh 2025
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of ₹25 lakh to the kins of the deceased.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Jagadguru Shankaracharaya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj, has appealed to the devotees to take holy dip anywhere in the Kumbh Kshetra and there is "no specific place" for it.
"I appeal to the devotees to remain patient and take a holy dip anywhere in the Kumbh Kshetra. There is no specific place where the devotees should gather to take a dip," he told ANI.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: On Maha Kumbh stampede, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, as quoted by ANI, "... I will pray to god that the devotees who were deceased in the stampede, their souls rest in peace. I express my condolences to their family. Whatever is lacking in the arrangements (at Maha Kumbh) should be rectified."
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: On Maha Kumbh stampede, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren expressed his grief and said, as quoted by ANI, "If such an incident happens to any person, it is unfortunate. It is a matter of concern and also a matter of sadness.... Efforts should be made to ensure that such an incident does not happen in future."
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: While speaking about the Mahakumbh stampede, Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad said "minor incidents" do happen in “such a big event," reported PTI. Nishad is the fisheries minister in the UP government.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: The Uttar Pradesh government stated that "prompt medical services" and a "green corridor" created for emergencies such as the stampede "restricted" the damage, reported PTI
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Hours after 30 people died in stampede in Kumbh and several others injured, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered judicial inquiry to look into reasons.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: On Maha Kumbh stampede, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences and said, as quoted by ANI, "... The UP government is making every effort to ensure that Kumbh is a success. I pay my respect to the devotees who passed away. A devotee from Assam also passed away. We are talking to the UP government to bring his body back home."
Speaking on the Maha Kumbh stampede incident, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, as quoted by ANI, "Today is the Amrit Snan of Mauni Amavasya. Since 7 pm yesterday, devotees in large numbers were taking the holy dip while others were waiting for 'Brahma Muhurta'. Meanwhile, an unfortunate incident happened on the Akhara Marg, in which more than 90 people were injured. This incident happened because of the massive crowd breaking the barricades and crossing the line... around 30 people have died, 36 injured are undergoing treatment in Prayagraj while the remaining injured have been taken away by their family members."
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Sandhya aarti is being performed at Ayodhya's Saryu Ghat. In the meantime, to monitor the situation of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has postponed his visit to Delhi for election campaign tomorrow.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Nealy 30 people have lost their lives in the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place between 1-2 AM at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj. 25 people have been identified and the identification of the remaining 5 is being done, ANI quoted DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, as saying.
Addressing a press conference, DIG Kumbh Mela Vaibhav Krishna confirms 30 casualties in the stampede incident.
“On the Mauni Amavasya Snan, between 1 and 2 am ahead of the Brahm Muhurta, huge crowd gathered on the Akhara route, because of which the barricades on the other side broke. The crowd on this side crossed to the other side and started running over devotees waiting for Brahm Muhurta... The administration quickly enforced the rescue operation and created a green corridor for ambulances, and took 90 injured to the hospitals. Unfortunately, 30 of those devotees have died," ANI quoted him as saying.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: At least 17 people were killed and many more injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in northern India early Wednesday, AP quoted a doctor at a government hospital as saying.
The report added that the doctor works in Prayagraj city, where over 30 injured — five in serious condition — were brought for treatment.
Indian authorities were yet to release casualty figures.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar on Wednesday expressed his condolences.
In a post on X, the envoy expressed support and wished for a speedy recovery to those injured. He wrote., "On the most sacred day of the 144-year Kumbh Mela, we were saddened to hear about the tragic incident at Prayagraj #Mahakumbh. Our thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Wishing the best of success to the authorities working on the ground. @myogiadityanath @UPGovt."
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences after the Maha Kumbh 2024.
Banerjee while taking to her X handle stated that her experiences of organising the annual Gangasagar Mela in Bengal warrant "maximal planning and care" to handle huge assemblies such as the Kumbh.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh, which has claimed at least 15 innocent lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved pilgrim families. My learning from our Gangasagar Mela is that planning and care must be maximal in matters relating to pilgrims' lives in vast assemblies of people. Prayers for the departed souls," she wrote.
Maha Kumbh 2025 News LIVE: Hour after the stampede, business tycoon Gautam Adani took to X and wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place at Maha Kumbh. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. The administration is treating the injured in hospitals. I am in constant touch with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the local administration."
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday condoled the deaths of several devotees in a stampede at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Sharing his sentiments on X, Kumar wrote in Hindi, “Deaths of pilgrims in the unfortunate incident at Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Deep condolences to the bereaved families. Hope for early recovery of those who are injured."
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Hour after the stampede, business tycoon Gautam Adani took to X and wrote, "We are deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching incident that occurred at Maha Kumbh. We pay our humble tributes to the departed souls and express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families."
"All the members of the Adani family present at the Maha Kumbh and the entire Adani Group, in collaboration with the fair administration and the state government, are committed to provide all possible assistance to the affected families," he added.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Hours after calling off the Amrit Snan, seers and saints from different Akharas including Jyotish Peethadheeshwar Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Shringeri Peethadheeshwar Jagatguru Swami Vidushekar Bharati, and others have started arriving at Sangam to take holy dip. Earlier Amrit Snan was called off, later it was decided that seers and saints will take holy dip later in the day without any procession.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Uttarakhand government has released toll free numbres to assist its citizens who are attending the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.
According to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's post on X, these are the helpline numbers for Uttarakhand residents attending Mahakumbh 2025: 1070, 8218867005, and 90584 41404
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Targeting the Yogi Adityanath government over the Mahakumbh stampede incident, SP president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that the management of Mahakumbh should be handed over to the army.
"In order to re-establish faith in the system among the saint community and devotees who have come to the Maha Kumbh, it is necessary that the administration and management of the Maha Kumbh should be immediately handed over to the army instead of the UP government," he said on X.
"Now that the truth of the claims of making world class arrangements has come out in front of everyone, those who were claiming and spreading false propaganda about it should resign from their posts taking moral responsibility for the people killed in this accident," he said.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna on Wednesday said that the police are looking into the main cause behind morning accident. He also said that Amrit Snan is about to begin and the police and administration will assist all the akharas as per the drill.
“Amrit Snan is about to begin... Everything will be carried out traditionally... The police and administration will assist all the Akharas in their traditional processions... The situation is under control. We are looking into the causes of this morning's incident. It happened because of a huge rush of devotees. More than 10 crore devotees are expected to arrive," DIG said.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday expressed regret over the tragic accident in Prayagraj Mahakumbh.
“Such an incident should not have happened but there are 8-10 crore people present over there and despite all arrangements, such a thing happened and I am sure the administration is working to ensure that it does not happen again," Bawankule told ANI
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Wednesday expressed grief over the tragic incident at Prayagraj Mahakumbh.
“I express my condolences to the bereaved families of the devotees who lost their loved ones in the accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. May God give strength to the bereaved family in this hour of grief," read a post by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his address at an election rally by remembering the people who lost their lives in stempede at Sangam Ghat on Wednesday during Mahakumbh 2025 Mauni Snan.
“I express my condolences towards the families of the people who have lost their lives at the painful accident which occurred in Mahakumbh. I express my sympathies with the affected families," he said adding that he is in constant touch with UP government over the relief work.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed regred over the accident at Sangam. In a social media post, Amit Shah wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place at Maha Kumbh. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. The administration is treating the injured in hospitals. I am in constant touch with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the local administration."
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their loved ones.
“Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister @myogiadityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government and the local administration are providing all possible help to the victims," read the post by Minister Rajnath Singh
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: President of India, Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday expressed condolences over the stampede occured at Sangam Ghat.
“The stampede incident at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I express my condolences to the families of the injured devotees and pray to God that all the injured devotees recover soon," read a post by President of India's official social media account on X.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday criticised Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut to devotees in the wake of the recent stampede. He raised concerns over the lack of proper facilities and questioned the effectiveness of the administration's efforts.
"The Kumbh is a matter of faith. What arrangements have been made for the devotees there? Women are having to sleep on roads," Raut said. He pointed out that during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, the arrangements at the Kumbh had been much better, saying, “During Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, the arrangements at Kumbh were the best."
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: In his social media post, PM Modi also mentioned that he is in constant touch with CHief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state government in the matter.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: PM Modi expressed concerns overthe stampede in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh 2025.
“My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government," read a post by PM Modi.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed regret over the tragic incident which occured at Sangam Ghat in Mahakumbh.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh, which has claimed at least 15 innocent lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved pilgrim families," read a post by West Bengal CM.
She also urged the government for proper “planning and care" in vast assemblies.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Seers and saints have begun their procession to take holy dip in Triveni Sangam for the second Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, reported ANI.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Amavasya tithi would continue till tonight, said President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Ravindra Puri on Wednesday.
He also added that there are only three Amrit Snans including Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amawasya and Basant Panchami. He added that Akharas will continue for holy dip at Sangam once the crowd start reducing.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Amid massive surge in crowd at Sangam, police officials are trying to vacate the Akhara Marg on Wednesday, reported ANI.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged people to not pay attention to any rumour.
At the same time, he also asked devotees to not move towards Sangam Nose in Mahakumbh 2025 and advised them to take holy dip in the nearest ghat.
“The injured been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. Since Mauni Amavasya mahurat started last night, a large number of devotees have been coming in. The PM has taken stock of the situation four times till now. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor Anandiben Patel are also continuously taking reports of the situation. The situation in Prayagraj is under control but the crowd size remains massive," said Yogi Adityanath.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana on Wednesday said that stampede like incident is not a serious situation.
"On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured and are under treatment. It is not a serious situation," she told reporters.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey on Wednesday questioned the management authorities and said, "
“In Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh, a stampede broke out late last night. First, we offer our condolences to the families of the deceased and express our sorrow. However, it is also important to point out that when authorities knew that today was Mauni Amavasya and over 10 million people were expected to bathe, why did they solely depend on the police for management? Why did they not seek help from the Indian Army, which is fully capable?"
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: An eyewitness of the stampede accident shared their experience at Sangam Ghat. While recalling the horror, an eyewitness told news agency Reuters that there were people lying all around.
"We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side. The push from behind was very powerful,...people started falling," said Vijay Kumar, who came for the festival from the eastern city of Patna.
"There were people lying all around, I don't know if they were dead or alive."
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Stampede-like situation occured at Sangam at 1 am on Wednesday when large number of people started gathering at Sangham Ghat for holy bath.
"More than seven people have been killed in the stampede and around 10 others injured," Reuters quoted an official who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Morning visuals from Sangam showed that devotees continued to arrive in hordes at Sangam, PRayagraj to take holy dip in Ganga on the ocassion of Mauni Amavasya.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Uttar Pradesh Minister OP Rajbhar appealed to the devotees to not pay attention to rumours. At the same time he urged people to take holy dip in river Ganga in the ghates nearest to their home.
"I appeal to all devotees visiting Mahakumbh to not pay attention to any rumours and follow the instructions given by the administration. The devotees should take a holy dip at the ghats nearest to them. Police and the government are alert to maintain security. Devotees should follow instructions given by police personnel on duty in the Kumbh area. The government is ready and in alert mode," he told ANI.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Although Akharas have called off Amrit Snan on Wednesday, but saints will take holy dip once the crowd reduces, said President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Ravindra Puri
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Akharas had originally called off the Amrit Snan, but they would go for the Holy Dip later in the day, reported PTI.
Mahakumbh 2025 News LIVE: Hours after stampede-like situation which lead to multiple casualties at Sangam nose, crores of devotees continue to gather at Triveni Sangam ghat for holy dip
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Ji urged devotees to not insist on taking dip at the Sangam Ghat after stampede-like situation.
"I appeal to all the devotees that because a large crowd has gathered in Prayagraj today, they should not insist on taking a holy dip only at the Sangam Ghat. As of now, they should not leave their camps and look for their safety," Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Ji said.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is constantly monitoring the situation at Mahakumbh. Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary-Home, CMO officials present in the war room.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Around 5-6 million people are expected to arrive at Sangam Ghat for holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, on January 29.
Kumbh Stampede News LIVE: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday blamed the government for the accident at Sangam Ghat. He also urged devotees to exercise restrained and patience in the difficult time and complete their pilgrimage peacefully.
“The news of casualties of devotees in an accident caused by mismanagement in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad... We also appeal to the devotees to exercise restraint and patience in this difficult time and complete their pilgrimage peacefully. The government should learn a lesson from today's incident and make additional arrangements for the stay, accommodation, food, water and other facilities of the devotees. Wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured in the accident," read a post by Yadav on X.
