PRAYAGRAJ, Jan 29: At least 30 people were killed and about 60 injured in the stampede that broke out at the mela ground in Prayagraj, in the early hours of Wednesday, a top police officer said.
Vaibhav Krishna, the DIG rank officer at Maha Kumbh told the press that 25 bodies have been identified so far and the process of identification for the rest is under way. He said the injured are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
This is the first official confirmation about the death toll and the number of injured in the Maha Kumbh stampede. Soon after the news broke about deaths in stampede, political parties were prompt in offering their condolences on loss of loved ones, however, the number of deaths was not clear.
He said that at least 90 people were taken to the hospital through ambulances but unfortunately, 30 devotees have passed away.
Sharing information on the unidentified deceased devotees, he said that they are from Assam, Gujarat, Bihar and Karnataka.
According to reports received here, the victim from Assam has been identified as Niti Ranjan Pal, a resident of Hailakandi. His wife, Gayatri Pal sustained serious injuries and has been hospitalised.
Notably, “Mauni Amavasya” is the one of most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day, the water of the holy river turns into “Amrit”.
The bath on this day is traditionally performed in silence.
Youths from Meghalaya escape stampede
Four youths from Meghalaya who went to take part in the Maha Kumbh narrowly escaped the stampede on Wednesday as were stranded for hours in the protection of a safe corner as the stampede occurred again and again within a time span of one hour until a decision was taken to end the “Amrit Snan” for the day.
Speaking to The Shillong Times over the phone, Saptarshi Purkayastha, a resident of Laban Last Stop, said, “Four of us went there at around midnight. There is a special timing to take the holy dip called Brahma Muhurta and everyone tried to take the dip at the same time which was the main problem. We were caught in the stampede as we committed the same mistake.” According to him a procession was also being taken out which had a specific path to follow, but the crowd swelled and the path was covered with people and when the police tried to clear the way, the stampede occurred.
“None of us are injured though it was difficult to breathe and we stood in a corner. The chaotic situation happened two-three times within a span of one hour forcing the organisers to stop the holy dip and asking everyone to move out slowly,” he added.
Purkayastha said that going by the multitude of people thronging the venue, such incident was not unexpected.