Maha Kumbh Tragedy: What Led to Two Deadly Stampedes?
Stampedes are tragic events that unfold within moments, turning crowded places into zones of chaos and loss. Recently, two major stampedes—one at the New Delhi Railway Station and another at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj—have left scores of people dead and injured. Let’s take a closer look at what led to these unfortunate incidents and how they unfolded.
1) New Delhi Railway Station
- A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the loss of 18 lives, including women and children, while several others sustained injuries.
- As the departure time neared, people started pushing towards the stairs, trying to secure a spot on the train. The pressure from the swelling crowd triggered a stampede, leading to tragic consequences.
2) Ghats (Prayagraj)
In another devastating event, a stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj led to the deaths of 30 people, with 60 others injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of the day during Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant occasions of the Kumbh Mela, when thousands gather for a sacred dip at the Sangam.
How the Stampede Happened
New Delhi Railway Station
- Train Delays: Two trains, the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, were delayed, leading to an unusually large crowd waiting on platforms 13 and 14.
- Maha Kumbh Special Train: A special train, the Prayagraj Express, was scheduled to depart at 10:10 PM from platform 14, attracting even more passengers.
- High Ticket Sales: Over 1,500 general tickets were sold, significantly increasing the number of travellers at the station.
- Rumours & Panic: Eyewitnesses claimed that a false rumour spread, suggesting that the Prayagraj Express would arrive at a different platform. However, railway authorities denied any platform changes.
Ghats (Prayagraj)
- Overcrowding at Barricades: Thousands of devotees surged forward, trying to reach the Sangam for their holy dip.
- Breaking of Barricades: The pressure from the crowd was too much, and barricades collapsed, causing panic.
- Sudden Pushing and Rushing: In the commotion, people started pushing forward, leading to many getting crushed in the process.
Eyewitness Accounts
Many survivors described the harrowing moments of the stampede. A woman from Karnataka shared how her group of 60 people got caught in the rush, with some falling and getting trampled. Another mother recounted how she pleaded for help as the crowd crushed people, including children.
Response and Actions
- The Ministry of Railways has launched an investigation into the incident, forming a two-member high-level committee to determine what went wrong.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the affected families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of Delhi described the tragedy as “unfortunate and terrible” and asked officials to take immediate action. - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a three-member judicial commission to investigate the incident. Additionally, an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh has been declared for the families of the deceased.
Security officials have since reinforced barricades and are implementing stricter crowd management strategies to prevent further mishaps.
Lessons to Be Learned
These tragic incidents highlight the critical need for improved crowd control measures, better infrastructure planning, and proactive crisis management. Ensuring proper crowd dispersal, issuing limited tickets, and strengthening security protocols can help prevent such disasters in the future.
Stampedes are preventable tragedies, and as authorities work on their investigations, the focus must remain on ensuring that such heartbreaking events do not happen again.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
