Quotes
Everyone's focusing in the same direction, and sometimes — not always — they might not realize that there is a way out, or a less crowded situation in the back or at the sides of the crowd,
Sieben said
.png)
Those forces add up and push people around in unpredictable ways, sometimes over distances of several meters. In such conditions, it is very difficult to keep balance and stay on one's feet,
said HelbingThe mass panic idea implies that people all receive information very quickly and then act in the same way, which would imply that there's information being transmitted through the crowd,
said SiebenA widespread view of crowd disasters is that they result from panic,
Helbing saidIt can just be a minor impulse people have,
Sieben said, like everyone wanting to get into the same bar at the same timeNone of these people want to hurt anyone, I mean, they're there to party,
she saidYou have people in the front who cannot go anywhere because it's blocked, and they are pushed against the wall or piling up — something super dangerous — but people in the back, like two or three meters [6.6 to 9.8 feet] away, don't even realize,
she saidThe situation is now under control, but there is a massive crowd of pilgrims,
Adityanath said
My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured,
Modi said in a post on social platform XAbout 30 million people had taken the holy bath by 8 a.m. Wednesday,
he said
We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side. The push from behind was very powerful...people started falling,
said Vijay Kumar, who came for the festival from the eastern city of Patna
VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees,
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party said on X, referring to politicians and celebrities being treated differentlyThe local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way,
he saidOn 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."
Speaking to media, Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said
The news of several people being killed and many being injured due to stampede at Prayagraj Mahakumbh is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. Mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident,
Rahul Gandhi said on X (formerly Twitter).I request Congress workers and leaders to help the affected families."
He added
Last night, at around 1-2 am, some people got injured while trying to cross over the barricades on the Akhara marg. They are hospitalised and undergoing treatment, some of them are severely injured. The administration has been in action since last evening at the onset of the Mauni Amavasya to make sure that devotees participate in the amrit snan.”
Addressing the tragedy, Yogi Adityanath said
The administration is here to serve you. The state and central government is ready for any kind of help or assistance. Please don’t believe in any rumours,
he saidThe situation is under control now but there is pressure due to the huge crowd. I have talked to the authorities of the Akhara Parishad and Mahamandaleshwars. They have said that first, the devotees, who have come from across India, will take the holy dip and when there’s less crowd and the devotees head back, then they will go to the Sangam for amrit snan. All the akharas have agreed to it,
he saidDear devotees come to Prayagraj, Take bath at the ghat of Mother Ganga near which you are, do not try to go towards Sangam Nose. All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements. People are bathing peacefully at all the ghats of Sangam. Do not pay any attention to any rumours,
Yogi Adityanath wrote on X (formerly Twitter).