On January 19, 2025, a fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj due to an LPG cylinder blast, destroying 18 tents. Firefighters quickly controlled the blaze, and no casualties were reported. However, extremist propagandist accounts are falsely claiming that hundreds have died. ADG Bhanu Bhaskar confirmed, “The fire has been extinguished, and no casualties have been reported.”
Sharing visuals from the incident on X (Formerly Twitter) serial fake news peddler and propaganda account @CrimesDigest wrote, “Major fire breaks out at the Mahakumbh mela. Hundreds feared dead.”
The truth behind the claims about Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the incident. We found that no injuries or casualties were reported from the incident.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found media reports (1, 2, 3) and police statements regarding the incident. ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said, “The fire has been extinguished, and no casualties have been reported. Everyone is safe. Preliminary reports suggest the cause may have been a cylinder blast, but further investigation is ongoing.”
प्रयागराज में महाकुंभ क्षेत्र के सेक्टर 19 में आग लगने की सूचना पर फायर ब्रिगेड की टीम, एनडीआरफ एवं वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों ने तत्काल मौके पर पहुंच कर आग पर काबू पा लिया है।
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) January 19, 2025
किसी प्रकार की कोई जनहानि नही हुई है।
माननीय मुख्यमंत्री उ0प्र0 श्री @myogiadityanath जी द्वारा मौके पर… pic.twitter.com/LrrgmttigP
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about hundreds of deaths due to the fire incident were false and self-invented.
2865
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 20, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Extremist propagandist accounts are spreading videos about a fire incident at the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, falsely claiming that hundreds have died. However, these claims are entirely baseless and fabricated. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/EfGL7bweOE
Intent
Propagandists are circulating videos from Mahakumbh Mela with self-invented claims to set their narrative and create panic among devotees.
Conclusion
Claim– Hundreds of deaths reported as fire broke out at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Fact– ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said, “The fire has been extinguished, and no casualties have been reported. Everyone is safe. Preliminary reports suggest the cause may have been a cylinder blast, but further investigation is ongoing.”
