Kumbh Mela LIVE | UP chief secy, DGP at the spot for post-stampede review

At least four individuals, including a woman and her daughter from Belagavi, are feared dead in the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede in Uttar Pradesh, family sources have said.

Belgaum North Congress MLA Asif Sait also confirmed receiving information of the tragic incident, stating that four people from Belagavi city have lost their lives.

“We have got the information that four people from Belagavi City have died in the stampede. We are with the family. We are offering our tributes to them,” he told reporters in Belagavi.

He appealed to the state government for monetary compensation to the families of the deceased.

According to the MLA, Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi Mohammad Roshan has directed the Special Deputy Commissioner to go to Prayagraj and make arrangements to bring the bodies back.

He will be accompanied by senior police officers.

According to the family, Jyoti Hattarwad (50), a BJP worker, and her daughter Megha Hattarwad (16), residents of Vadagaon, have lost their lives.

Mahadevi Bhavanur and Arun from Belagavi are also among those who are feared dead.

The mother-daughter duo went to Prayagraj on January 26 by bus through a private travel agency and was part of a 13-member travel group.

Jyoti’s brother, Gururaj Huddar said, “After being injured, they were receiving treatment at a private hospital in Prayagraj this morning. Despite medical efforts, they succumbed to their injuries.” Family members in Belagavi had been unable to contact them since this morning.

Although their phone was ringing, there was no response, causing concern among relatives.

Jyoti’s husband said a person by name Chidambar Patil who was part of the group of pilgrims, informed him that his wife and daughter lost their lives in the stampede.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed grief over the loss of lives during stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and appealed to devotees to be patient and follow instructions of the local administration.

“The news of the deaths and injury to several devotees in the unfortunate stampede incident on the bank of Sangam in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured devotees,” Sai posted on X.

“All devotees are requested to maintain patience and follow the instructions of the local administration. Take holy bath at the ghat of Maa Ganga which is nearest to you in the mela,” he said.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has written to aviation regulator DGCA seeking reduction in "exorbitant" airfares to Prayagraj, which is hosting the Maha Kumbh Mela till February 26.

The minister expressed concerns over high airfares, making it difficult for devotees to travel to the religious gathering.

"The prices of airfares being exorbitantly high has made it difficult for people to make travel plans to attend Maha Kumbh," Joshi said in a social media post.

Earlier this month, travel portal Ixigo said bookings as well as airfares for flights to Prayagraj have jumped multi-fold as more people travel for the Maha Kumbh, with the air ticket prices rising up to 21 per cent for the Delhi-Prayagraj flights.

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said steps are being taken to rationalise airfares. DGCA officials held a meeting with airline representatives last week, urging them to add more flights and rationalise ticket prices.

Currently, 132 flights are operating with about 80,000 monthly seats to Prayagraj, which is now directly connected with 17 cities compared to eight in last month.

Under current norms, airfares are deregulated and not controlled by the government.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday condoled the deaths of several devotees in a stampede at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Sharing his sentiments on X, Kumar hoped for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries. “Deaths of pilgrims in the unfortunate incident at Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Deep condolences to the bereaved families. Hope for early recovery of those who are injured,” the Bihar CM wrote in Hindi.

Leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly Tejashwi Yadav also posted on X expressing sorrow over the tragedy.

Amrit snan, the traditional bathing ritual of akharas that was deferred due to the stampede at Maha Kumbh, resumed around 2.30 on on Wednesday.

Led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, the procession of akharas made its way on foot towards the Sangam for the snan.

The procession was notably less grand than usual.

The Amrit snan was originally scheduled in the early hours of the day but was postponed following the stampede.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said a consensus has been reached with the akharas that they would take the holy dip only after the crowd pressure has decreased at the ghats.

As per tradition of the Kumbh Mela, akharas belonging to the three sects 'Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen' take the holy dip in a set sequence following a majestic, awe-inspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat.