Authorities reported that the stampede was triggered when pilgrims attempted to bypass barricades designated for a procession of holy men. This sudden surge led to the collapse of barriers, causing chaos among the densely packed crowd. Emergency services responded promptly, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need for immediate support measures. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a series of guidelines aimed at improving crowd management, especially with an anticipated increase in attendees during the upcoming 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami, scheduled for February 3.
In response to the tragedy, the entire Maha Kumbh area has been declared a "no-vehicle zone" from January 30 to February 4. This measure prohibits the entry of cars and other vehicles into the mela grounds. Additionally, all VVIP passes have been canceled until Tuesday, and a ban has been imposed on convoys and escort vehicles to facilitate better crowd control.
Despite extensive preparations, including the deployment of approximately 50,000 security personnel and the installation of over 2,500 cameras for surveillance, managing the massive influx of pilgrims remains a significant challenge. The festival, which spans six weeks, is expected to attract around 100 million devotees, with about 30 million having already participated in ritual baths on the day of the incident.
Opposition leaders have criticized the government's handling of the event, attributing the fatalities to mismanagement and an overemphasis on accommodating VIPs. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition figure, labeled the incident as a result of "mismanagement" and called for accountability from the organizers.
This tragedy draws parallels to previous incidents at the Kumbh Mela. In 1954, more than 400 people were trampled to death or drowned in a similar stampede. More recently, in 2013, 36 individuals lost their lives under comparable circumstances. These recurring incidents underscore the inherent risks associated with managing such large-scale religious gatherings.