Not One, But Two Stampedes Took Place On Mauni Amavasya At Maha Kumbh In Prayagraj

Then suddenly my mother fainted, and some other elderly people also fainted, which created a commotion. We fell down and many people stepped over us,

said Devi, wailing next to the bodies of her mother and sister-in-law at a city mortuary

Thank you so, so much for all the exceptionally kind messages, checking if we’re ok. We are - but there were countless utterly terrifying times this morning, and they weren’t over quickly,

he told wellwishers

Thank you again for all your messages. It means more to us - me and the heroic crew - than you might imagine.”

The broadcaster concluded

Everyone is deeply sad about the loss of life here. Those desperate pilgrims,

Rajan added

It is important to get to the bottom of how such a tragedy occurred,

said an emotional Adityanath

Unfortunately, 30 of those devotees have died,

senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna told a news conference on Wednesday evening

People were asking police to open the barricades to other routes as it was suffocating to stand there in that crowd for almost an hour. We couldn't breathe,

Jagwanti Devi, who was in the crowd with her family of six, said on Thursday

We are looking at making some changes now,

Krishna told Reuters

Both fly with the mortal remains and they will ensure the bodies reach Belagavi this evening. Embalming will be done in Delhi,

he said

Official information was received from the police, local administration, and family members of the deceased. The victims were identified as Jyoti Hatrarwad (44) and her daughter Megha (24) from Vadagavi, Arun Koparde (61) from Shetti Galli, and Mahadevi Bavanur (48) from Shivaji Nagar.”

Belagavi police commissioner Iada Marteen confirmed the deaths and said

Reports indicate that some from our state are among the injured. Officials are working to facilitate their safe return, and the government is making every effort for their well-being. I urge all Kannadigas at the Kumbh Mela to stay cautious and safe,

he added

I received a call in the morning informing me that they were seriously injured. Later, the same number called again to confirm their deaths,

he said, adding

The toll rose from two in the morning to three in the afternoon and eventually to four by evening,

he said

The stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is tragic, in which many innocent devotees lost their lives. In this hour of grief, my heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families,

said Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Salim Engineer

We stand in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones and pray for patience and strength in this time of grief,

he said

The lives of ordinary devotees also deserve the same care and protection as VIP guests,

he said

As the barricades broke, people fell on those sitting and waiting to take the holy dip during the 'brahm muhurt' (the early morning time considered auspicious for certain activities),

he explained

My mother fell as someone pushed from behind. I managed to pull my family to safety, but by the time I could search for my mother, she had already been crushed by the crowd. Six of us came here. Now we are five.”

While consoling his sobbing father and two children as they waited at the Central Hospital, he recalled

The police did nothing. Instead, all cops were engaged in blocking the passage and forcing devotees to walk an extra mile,

she alleged

The crowds broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there. Over 90 injured were rushed to the hospital, out of whom 30 died,

said deputy inspector general of Maha Kumbh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna in the evening