Mahakumbh Stampede: Amrit Snan cancelled as 15 feared dead at Sangam, PM Modi speaks to UP CM for 3rd time
Rescue operations are underway after a stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj ahead of Mauni Amavasya Snan on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation twice in an hour.
Nearly fifteen dead bodies have been brought to the hospital, according to sources. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed by officials.
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.
Meanwhile, Akharas have called off the Amrit Snan for January 29 after stampede-like situation broke at Sangam, leaving several devotees injured. Casualties are also feared due to the incident. Several spiritual leaders are urging devotees to temporarily avoid coming to Sangam Ghat to avoid crowd surge
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.
Administration said that ambulances have been rushed to the ghat and injured persons were taken to the central hospital inside the Mela ground for treatment. Several people injured in the stampede were brought dead to the hospital, unconfirmed the reports said.
“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.
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 Prayagraj The Mahakumbh concludes on February 26.