Mahakumbh Stampede, CM Yogi Adityanath speaks to media, Urges Devotees to Avoid Crowding at Sangam Nose

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Following the stampede-like situation at the Mahakumbh Mela, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the media, providing details about the incident and the measures taken to manage the situation.
He assured that police and administration are on high alert and urged devotees not to believe in rumors. CM Yogi emphasized that the pressure at Sangam Nose and Akhara Marg remains high due to an overwhelming number of devotees.
He appealed to the pilgrims to take a holy dip at their nearest location rather than insisting on reaching Sangam Nose.
Massive Crowd Management Efforts Underway
Speaking to the media, CM Yogi stated that around 8 to 10 crore devotees are currently present at Sangam, while 5.5 crore people took a holy dip yesterday. He attributed the pressure at Sangam Nose to the sheer number of people heading toward the sacred confluence.
"The entire administration is on the ground, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for all pilgrims. The situation is being closely monitored," CM Yogi assured. Providing insights into the cause of the accident, he revealed that the stampede-like situation occurred when some devotees attempted to jump over barricades at Akhara Marg late at night, leading to injuries.
The injured individuals were immediately rushed to hospitals for treatment.
PM Modi Monitoring the Situation
CM Yogi also shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in constant touch with the authorities, inquiring about the situation at least four times since the morning. He reaffirmed that the government is actively working to ensure the safety of devotees and prevent any further mishaps.
Devotees Continue to Arrive Despite the Incident
Despite the early morning commotion, the inflow of devotees remains uninterrupted, with people continuing to take a holy dip at the Sangam. By 8 AM on Wednesday, 2.78 crore devotees had already performed their ritual bath, according to the Mela administration. Since the beginning of the Mahakumbh on January 13, a total of 19.94 crore pilgrims have taken part in the holy ritual, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in history. As the event progresses, authorities are strengthening security and logistical arrangements to prevent further overcrowding and ensure a safe pilgrimage for all attendees.
सभी पूज्य संतों, श्रद्धालुओं, प्रदेश एवं देश वासियों से मेरी अपील है कि अफवाह पर कोई ध्यान न दें, संयम से काम लें, प्रशासन आप सभी की सेवा के लिए तत्परता से कार्य कर रहा है... pic.twitter.com/r3qAkveJoz
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 29, 2025