As thousands of people gathered for a sacred plunge in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, there was a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela Uttar Pradesh Prayagraj on Wednesday, which is thought to have killed several people. On one of the most sacred days of the celebration, Mauni Amavasya, thousands of people flocked to the location. Injured people were transported to the central hospital within the Mela grounds for treatment as numerous ambulances raced to the ghat. At least 15 bodies had been taken to the hospital.

As millions of pilgrims gathered for a sacred bath on Mauni Amavasya, a stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, raising fears of several casualties. The Mauni Amavasya "Amrit Snan" caused crowd pressure to rise, prompting the Mela management to order people to return.

Authorities rushed to control the situation, deploying emergency services and shifting the injured to nearby hospitals. “The situation is under control now. Rescue operations are underway, and we are ensuring proper medical assistance for the injured,” said a senior police official.

Mauni Amavasya, considered the most auspicious day of the Kumbh, draws millions of pilgrims, sadhus, and tourists. Despite heavy security and crowd management measures, the sheer volume of devotees often leads to safety challenges.

Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the stampede, and additional measures are being put in place to prevent further mishaps as the month-long religious gathering continues.

This is not the first time the Kumbh Mela has witnessed such a tragedy. Previous editions of the festival have also seen fatal stampedes due to overcrowding. Authorities have urged devotees to remain calm and follow safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.