Quotes
The administration was busy serving the VIPs. I saw that every VIP that attended the Maha Kumbh, the administration was busy just catering to them, it was not bothered with any preparations for the Kumbh,
he said
All the akharas asked that the Kumbh should be handed over to the Indian army to be managed, there is no dearth of people who would serve selflessly in our country. If the Kumbh was handed over to the Indian army, I don’t think this big a tragedy would have happened. I am very, very sad,
he saidSo the Akhara has stopped the 'Snan' for the Mahamandaleshwars
he told news agency ANIWe were nine people in the group. Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down, and the crowd went uncontrolled,
Sarojini said
There was nowhere to go. Some people who pushed us were laughing while we begged them for kindness towards the children."
Another woman at the hospital, whose child suffered injuries in the chaos, narrated her ordeal, claimingThere was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides,
the woman added
Take your holy dip at the nearest ghat of Maa Ganga, and do not attempt to go towards Sangam Nose. Follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in maintaining order. Do not pay attention to any rumors.”
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath appealed devoteesThere were multiple stampedes. There were at least 200 injured and I’d say around 50 dead. I saw them with my own eyes.”
One paramilitary officer at the scene said
You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on Mauni Amavasya,
ABAK president Mahant Ravindra Puri said
The river is the same everywhere, so why become stubborn about taking the dip only at the Sangam? The entire mela area is as pious as the Sangam,
he saidAs per the information that I've received, a stampede-like situation occurred at Sangam Nose after a barrier broke. Some people were injured in the incident. No one is serious and the injured are getting the required treatment."
Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran OSD Akansha Rana saidThe police could not anticipate the crowd. They had no control. Had they been prepared, this could have been prevented,
he saidSuddenly, there was such a huge crowd that everyone got crushed. There were 14 of us, and we couldn’t even tell where anyone had gone. We were going for the bath, and people were coming back from there. We didn’t even realize how the crowd got so large, and then people started falling.”
Another eyewitness, Baljeet Singh from Balia saidThe exit route was completely blocked, so the situation worsened. Four of our group had already gone ahead, and we had told them to stay at Nandni Dwar. The four of us got stuck behind. A lot of people were falling in front of us. The stampede happened because the road was jammed,
said Ram Singh, a resident of FatehpurI somehow stood up and saved my parents and another woman who were all lying on the ground. It was then youngsters in the crowd started pushing others. It was this situation that led to stampede,
the content creator saidThe problem was mainly due to the fact crowd had no idea where to go after bathing. These people were carrying heavy luggage on their head. There were large number of iron dustbins that could not be seen by pilgrims. A few people fell as they lost balance. Their luggage could be seen all over the area,
he saidPeople in knowledge of developments told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity that at least 15 bodies have been brought to the hospital,
local newspaper Hindustan Times said
Mauni Amawasya is not only important for us saints but for all Hindus and those who will observe silence on this date for the betterment of their soul and spiritual growth."
Jagatguru Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi told PTI