Maha Kumbh stampede: Eyewitnesses recall scenes of horror at Sangam says THIS

Uttar Pradesh: In a heart-wrenching incident, a stampede at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday claimed several lives and left many injured. The chaos erupted when an overwhelming crowd of devotees gathered for the holy Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, a ritual of immense spiritual significance. This year’s Mauni Amavasya held even greater importance due to the rare celestial alignment of ‘Triveni Yog,’ occurring after 144 years, drawing an estimated 10 crore pilgrims to Prayagraj.

Eyewitness accounts: Scenes of panic and confusion

Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of sheer panic and confusion. Vivek Mishra, who was present at the Sangam, recounted, “The crowd didn’t know where to go after bathing. Many were carrying heavy luggage, and hidden iron dustbins caused people to trip and fall.” Mishra, who injured his feet during the chaos, explained how he struggled to assist his parents and another woman amidst the mayhem.

Ram Singh, a resident of Fatehpur, said the stampede was exacerbated by blocked exit routes, leaving the crowd trapped. “The road was jammed, and people couldn’t move forward or backward. It caused utter chaos,” he shared. Similarly, Baljeet Singh from Balia narrated how the sudden surge of people made it impossible to navigate. “We didn’t realize how the crowd grew so large, and then people started falling. It was terrifying,” he said.

What went wrong?

The stampede reportedly occurred around 2:30 a.m., when a significant number of devotees converged at the Sangam banks. Officials are investigating the sequence of events but have yet to confirm the exact death toll. Mishra highlighted how scattered luggage and hidden obstacles worsened the situation, while Singh pointed out the lack of proper crowd management on the exit route.

The spiritual magnetism of Mauni Amavasya

Mauni Amavasya is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. Believers hold that the waters of the Ganga turn into ‘Amrit’ on this day, making the holy bath spiritually purifying. The rare ‘Triveni Yog’ alignment only added to the fervor, drawing millions to Prayagraj despite the risks.