Came to Mela for salvation, leaving with a loved one’s body

A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela turned a holy pilgrimage into a nightmare for many families. At least 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others were injured when massive crowds broke past police barricades to reach the riverbank for a sacred dip.

Grief at the mortuary

Sushila Kumari from Bihar stood outside the mortuary at Motilal Nehru Medical College (MLNMC) in Prayagraj. She had come to the Maha Kumbh with her brother Dinesh to take holy water from the Ganga back home. Instead, she was taking his dead body. Crying uncontrollably, she said she would never return to Sangam after this painful experience.

Nearby, Dharmsheela Devi from Muzaffarpur watched as others collected the bodies of their loved ones. She had come to Prayagraj with her friend Sheela Devi for spiritual blessings. Instead, Sheela was among those who died in the stampede. “We came here for salvation, but I am taking her body back home,” she said, devastated.

Chaos and official silence

The stampede happened between 1 AM and 2 AM on Wednesday during Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days of the Kumbh. Millions of devotees rushed towards the river, causing panic and crushing many underfoot. Among the dead, five were from Uttar Pradesh, four from Karnataka, and others from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Gujarat, Assam, and Uttarakhand.

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Families of the victims alleged that officials were not answering their questions about the number of bodies taken to hospitals for post-mortem. Hospital staff confirmed that at least 17 autopsies had been done by Wednesday evening, but senior officials refused to share details.

The tragedy overshadowed the religious significance of the day, which saw over 76.4 million people gather at the Sangam to wash away their sins. For many families, however, this pilgrimage ended in heartbreak.