Maha Kumbh 2025 Tragedy: 30 Dead, 7.5 Crore Visitors Amid Chaos and Panic

Maha Kumbh 2025 Tragedy: At least 30 people have been killed in a crush at the world's largest religious gathering, the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela in northern India, officials say.

The stampede took place at the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Wednesday as large crowds thronged the ghats for a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

Another 60 people were injured, police said. It took most of the day for official casualty figures to emerge, prompting opposition leaders to accuse authorities of a lack of transparency.

Also Read: Chilling Video: American Airlines Jet Collides Mid-Air with Military Helicopter Near Reagan Airport

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an investigation by the judicial commission into the stampede incident. He said that a separate probe will also be done to look into police lapses.

The stampede is being thoroughly investigated to understand the cause and prevent such incidents in the future. Authorities have promised swift action to provide assistance to the families of the victims.

Crowds of pilgrims flocked to the Maha Kumbh mela today to take a dip in the river on the holy occasion of “Mauni Amavasya”. Speaking to reporters later in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the situation was “under control”.

Also Read: ‘Are We Really a Poor Nation?’: Engineer Questions Coldplay’s $50 Million Earnings from India Tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones. He stated that the local administration was “engaged in helping the victims in every possible way,” in a post on X.

Videos and photos from the scene showed people on the ground, their bruised bodies and faces covered in mud. Some were being carried away on stretchers, as ambulances zipped in and out of the sprawling tent city set up for the event.

For hours there was confusion over the number of people who had died or been injured.

The main hospital was cordoned off and reporters barred from entry. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state - where Prayagraj is located - spoke of serious injuries, but did not mention deaths.

News of the accident did little to discourage the huge crowds thronging the venue - more than 50 million had bathed by 14:00 local time (08:30GMT), according to government figures.

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor is the ‘Greatest Therapist,’ Says Deva Co-Star Pooja Hegde After 40-Minute Car Ride