Second Stampede Near Sangam Nose: Panic Erupts Just Hours After First Incident

Jhusi (The Uttam Hindu): A second stampede struck the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, just hours after the first tragic incident near Sangam Nose on Wednesday. The second crowd crush occurred in Jhusi, about 2 km away, further adding to the chaos. Official sources later confirmed that the total death toll of 30 included casualties from both locations. However, reports suggest that the second stampede was not immediately disclosed to prevent widespread panic, as millions of devotees remained at the Kumbh Mela grounds for the holy dip.

Eyewitnesses at Jhusi recounted horrific scenes of people being crushed and bodies being recovered from the site. Footage from the area showed scattered clothes, footwear, and other belongings being cleared using tractors. The stampede at Jhusi occurred around 5:55 am, just a few hours after the first one near Sangam Nose at 1:30 am. Witnesses claimed that bodies lay unattended for hours, with authorities arriving only after significant delay. Some also alleged that officials attempted to prevent video recordings at the scene. Amidst the chaos, thefts were reported, with valuables such as mobile phones and cash being stolen.

The stampedes happened on Mauni Amavasya, an auspicious day for the second Shahi Snan, which saw an overwhelming number of devotees gathering at the site. By late Tuesday, nearly 55 million people had taken a dip at the Sangam, leading to massive overcrowding. At Jhusi, people reportedly broke through barricades, pushing forward uncontrollably. Cleanup efforts took hours, with multiple rounds of tractors needed to clear debris. While the first stampede gained global attention, the second incident remained largely unreported despite its devastating impact.