A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela venue in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries, according to police chief Vaibhav Krishna. The stampede broke out just before dawn during Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days for pilgrims, as many jostled for space to take a holy dip at the Sangam area.

The chaotic scene unfolded when pilgrims began breaking barricades, which led to a massive rush. Reports from local residents and social media posts initially indicated fatalities, but the official confirmation from police later clarified that 30 people had died, and 25 bodies were identified. Several injured individuals have been hospitalized, and their condition remains under observation.

Among the survivors, many described how they got trapped in the uncontrolled crowd. Sarojini, a woman from Karnataka, shared her experience of being trapped with her group as people pushed and fell, causing chaos. Another witness at a local hospital recounted the horror of helplessly begging others for kindness as the crowd surged. Despite the tragedy, police confirmed that the situation was under control.

The incident occurred as thousands of pilgrims, including saints and Naga sadhus, arrived at the Triveni Sangam for the sacred amrit snan. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri stated that the ghats would be vacated quickly to allow all devotees to take the holy dip.