Amid Maha Kumbh Stampede Chaos, Ambulance Catches Fire At Sangam Site In Prayagraj

A fire broke out in an ambulance amidst the chaos of a deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The cause of the fire and further details remain unknown.

The ambulance that caught fire outside the hospital at the Maha Kumbh site in Prayagraj.

Source : PTI

To make matters worse amid the chaos over the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, an ambulance caught fire outside the hospital set up at the Maha Kumbh site. Visuals of the incident showed people using fire extinguishers to douse the flames.

The incident comes amid the late-night stampede that reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured several more.

Further details on the incident are awaited.

VIDEO | Maha Kumbh 2025: An Ambulance reportedly catches fire in Kumbh area. Visuals show people using fire extinguishers to douse the flames. Further details awaited.

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What Happened At Maha Kumbh?

A stampede-like situation unfolded at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, ahead of the 'Amrit Snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya,' leaving multiple devotees injured. Officials reported that the incident was triggered when a large crowd broke through a barrier.

The main issue appeared to be that the pathways leading to and from the Triveni Sangam were not separated. This caused a surge of people pushing past each other in a rush to take a dip in the Sangam, marking the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

A big and sad news is came from Mahakumbh :

How many more lives before they learn?

Maha Kumbh stampede exposes reckless mismanagement of CM Yogi.

When will authorities take crowd control seriously at Maha Kumbh?🤬#MahaKumbh2025#MahakumbhStampede pic.twitter.com/Sxov3AcdFq

— Braj shyam maurya (@brijshyam07) January 29, 2025

As people scrambled, several fell, triggering panic among the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, some pilgrims were trampled, including those resting on the grounds. Authorities responded by installing a dividing barricade to manage the flow of people towards the Sangam.

Ambulances were immediately called to the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Approximately 25-30 women were admitted to a hospital within the Kumbh grounds. The stampede led to a delay in the start of the 'Amrit Snan,' and several akhadas subsequently called off the holy dip.

The 'Amrit Snan' on Mauni Amavasya is regarded as the most significant ritual during the Maha Kumbh, and this year it held extra spiritual importance due to the rare celestial alignment known as 'Triveni Yog,' which occurs once every 144 years.

A devotee, speaking to ABP News, noted that while a few police officers were present, the number was insufficient to manage the crowd. "The police did not anticipate the surge, and there was a lack of control. If they had been better prepared, this could have been avoided," he said.