Massive Fire Outbreak at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
The Maha Kumbh Mela is said to be the world’s largest religious congregation, is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Maha Kumbh happens after 12 Purna Kumbhs in Prayagraj, once in 144 years and is considered the most auspicious. The 2025 Maha kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is scheduled from January 13 to February 26. People around every corner of the world come together to participate in this ritual of snan (bathing) in the sacred waters, believed to cleanse sin and pave the path to liberation. This time more than 50 million pilgrims were attracted to Prayagraj for performing the spiritual ritual but unfortunately a massive fire broke out.
On January 19, 2025, Sunday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a fire erupted at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh leaving at least 40 thatched huts and six tents gutted. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj on Sunday, visited the affected area and took stock of the situation. Officials said the chief minister briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. Prayagraj District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar phrased “The fire has been extinguished, and there is no information about any casualty. The situation is under control”.
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According to a statement issued by the government, the fire broke out around 4:10 pm in the kitchen of the Geeta Press camp near Karpatriji’s camp in Sector 19, situated between the old and new railway bridges in the Mahakumbh Mela area. It quickly spread and gutted huts and tents, belonging to Shri Sanjeev Prayag. Fire brigade personnel, police and administrative teams rushed to the spot and evacuated the area.
Suspecting that a cylinder blast may have caused the fire, Mela administration removed all gas cylinders from the affected area to prevent further escalation. Amid the chaos, one person injured his leg while fleeing and fell unconscious. He has been admitted to Swaroop Medical College in Prayagraj and his condition is stable and not life-threatening, said officials. To control the massive influx of the pilgrims ,a temporary city encompassing 4,000 hectares has been established, featuring 150,000 tents and essential amenities.
Taking fire safety as the top priority comprehensive measure are implemented. Each tents is equipped with firefighting equipment and a fleet of 351 firefighting vehicles.
