A tragic incident unfolded at the Maha Kumbh 2025 during the second bath of Mauni Amavasya, as a stampede broke out, leading to the loss of lives and injuries to several devotees. A viral video that surfaced after the incident revealed that the commissioner of the fair area, Vijay Vishwas Pant, had warned the public about the potential risk of a stampede hours before the tragedy occurred. In the video, Pant can be seen urging people to take a bath as early as possible to avoid the stampede situation.
Commissioner’s Urgent Appeal Before the Stampede
In the video that quickly went viral, Vijay Vishwas Pant is seen speaking into a microphone late at night, addressing the people who were sleeping along the banks of the Sangam. He made an earnest plea, stating, “All devotees should listen, there is no use of lying here. Those who sleep will miss out. Get up and take a bath now for your safety. Many people will come, and a stampede is likely to occur.” Pant’s words seemed to go unheard as people continued to rest in the area, unaware of the looming danger.
Pant’s warning was clear: “If you have arrived first, you should take the first dip. Please get up, get up… do not sleep… and go take a bath.” Despite his repeated appeals, many remained in place, and at around 1 a.m., a sudden influx of devotees caused a rush, resulting in overcrowding and the unfortunate stampede.
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Casualties and Impact of the Stampede
Reports suggest that 17 people lost their lives in the stampede, while more than 100 others sustained injuries. However, the official numbers have yet to be released by the local administration. Despite the chaos, the situation gradually stabilized, and devotees resumed taking the sacred bath. By 9 a.m., over 3 crore pilgrims had taken a dip in the holy waters.
Authorities Monitoring the Situation
Following the tragic incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally monitored the situation to ensure that proper measures were taken to prevent further mishaps. The tragic event highlights the crucial importance of better crowd management and communication during such large-scale religious events.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers at major religious gatherings and emphasizes the need for timely warnings, better crowd control, and enhanced safety measures to prevent such disasters in the future.