PRAYAGRAJ: 15 people were killed and many injured in the stampede during Mauni Amavasya celebrations, the main event of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The tragedy struck when people came to perform Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya. There was an unprecedented rush. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for details of the incident. However, the authorities have not confirmed the reports of news agencies regarding the deaths.

The incident happened at around 1.30 am Wednesday morning. The details of the dead or injured have not been officially released. There are reports that many women and children experienced difficulty in breathing due to the crowd. Ambulances were sent immediately after the accident and many were shifted to the hospital.

In the wake of the incident, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahand Ravindra Puri announced that Amrit Snan on the day of the Amavasya ceremony has been cancelled. Devotees have also been advised to return after the bath in the Ganges.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees not to pay heed to rumours and asked them to follow the instructions of the administration. He also appealed to the devotees to take a dip at the nearest ghat instead of heading towards the Sangam Nose to avoid overcrowding.