PrashantNews
Thirty people were killed and 60 injured early Wednesday following a stampede during the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of auspicious Mauni Amavasya.
The pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh mela occurred as lakhs of pilgrims jostled for space in trying to take early dip at the Sangam area, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. A couple of barricades broke during the stampede which led to lots of casualties, top police officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the stampede that left a total of 90 people injured. “The total injuries were 90, some serious. Thirty people have died,” the Chief Minister said.
Now 36 people are admitted in different hospitals, DIG Vaibhav Krishna said. The rest of the injured were discharged after the treatment.
A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the stampede, the CM said.
The state government announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased.
The Prime Minister remained in touch with the UP CM throughout the day to take the stock of the situation.
Immediately after the stampede, dozens of ambulances arrived at the scene and rushed the injured to the hospitals. Most of the pilgrims died in the hospitals.
Twenty five bodies have been identified so far.
The Kumbh Mela which was halted for some time resumed in the afternoon as top seers including shankracharyas took the Amrit Sanan at the Sangam.
The victims hail from different states like Karnataka, Assam and Gujarat, the DIG Krishna said.