People, panic, pain: Anatomy of a disaster

As the night progressed, the Maha Kumbh mela grounds were filled with devotees awaiting their ritual bath.

- Rajeev Mullick

PRAYAGRAJ: Many had been sleeping on the ground near the ghats, while others sat in groups chanting prayers. Around 2 am, a stampede was triggered by a surge of pilgrims trying to reach the bathing areas for the 3 am auspicious hour, a time believed to be particularly sacred for the ritual dip.

Eyewitnesses said as new devotees pressed forward, they collided with thousands already sleeping or sitting on the ground near the ghats, waiting for the same moment. The resulting pressure collapsed barricades and created a deadly crush that claimed at least 30 lives, with unofficial estimates putting the toll at 54.

Sudden surge of devotees
"Past midnight a sudden surge of devotees led to barricades coming apart, and in the melee, many people who were sleeping or sitting on the ground were run over," said Madhumita, a devotee from Assam, who witnessed the tragedy, according to news agency PTI.

The problems began at the exit routes from the bathing areas. Iron dustbins placed along the paths became obstacles in the darkness. "I got stuck in a dustbin and lost my shoes. I fell, injured my feet, and somehow got up to help my parents and another woman lying on the ground. That's when people started pushing, triggering the stampede," said Vivek Mishra, who was among the first to notice the crowd building up.