The Maha Kumbh gathering in Prayagraj turned tragic as thirty pilgrims lost their lives during a stampede that caused sixty more injuries before dawn on Wednesday. DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna reports that the fatal stampede unfolded between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. as the massive crowd broke through barriers to create a deadly crush in the Sangam region.
The large number of pilgrims who came for Mauni Amavasya created dangerous chaos that made security personnel fight to manage the situation. The Uttar Pradesh government continues to withhold the official numbers of deaths yet media coverage shows multiple deaths combined with extensive injuries. The 60 reported casualties require medical treatment from doctors at different local hospitals according to current data. Concerned families now have access to a helpline telephone number at 1924.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined President Droupadi Murmu and Home Minister Amit Shah in extending their condolences. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath granted promises of immediate action by ordering an investigation headed to court. A payment of ₹25 lakh has been provided as ex gratia to the survivors related to every death. 
The ‘amrit snan,’ a key ritual of the Maha Kumbh, resumed at 2:30 p.m., though on a smaller scale. The Railway Ministry has taken action by making sure trains follow their designed operating schedule to help reduce crowds. A team from West Bengal has been sent to assess conditions affecting the state’s pilgrims.
Security teams seek to effect rescues alongside officials who inspect crowd control failures to stop similar events from happening again. Security issues at the world’s largest Maha Kumbh religious gathering remain under investigation following multiple tragedies.
