Extremist propagandist accounts are spreading false claims that thousands of devotees perished in the recent Mahakumbh Mela 2025 stampede in Prayagraj. These allegations are completely unfounded and misleading. As per an official statement from DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, the tragic incident resulted in the loss of 30 lives between 1:00 and 2:00 AM. Among the victims, 25 have been identified, while efforts continue to confirm the identities of the remaining five.
Sharing sensitive visuals on the X (Formerly Twitter) propaganda account, @QueenBangla wrote. “Horrifying images of the stampede at the Mahakumbh in India. Over a thousand deaths reported”. (Translated from Bengali)
Another propaganda account @HindGazette/@CrimesDigest also shared a video and wrote. “A stampede in the Indian city of Prayagraj during the Kumbha Mela festival killed 100+ people and thousands more were injured.”
A stampede in the Indian city of Prayagraj during the Kumbha Mela festival killed 100+ people and thousands more were injured. pic.twitter.com/WV22Wsf3Jr
— OSINT Bangladesh (@HindGazette) January 29, 2025
Other users also disseminated claims asserting that no casualties were reported; their posts can be seen here: @IndianSinghh, @Namami_Bharatam.
The truth behind the claims about mahakumbh, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the claims. We found that these claims are not true.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found police statements (1, 2, 3) regarding the stampede. According to an official statement from DIG Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, 30 individuals tragically lost their lives in the stampede, which occurred between 1:00 and 2:00 AM. Of these, 25 victims have been identified, while efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining 5.
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna says, "The main bath of Mouni Amavasya took place on January 29, 2025, with the first wave of devotees gathering from 1 AM to 2 AM during the Brahma Muhurat. Due to heavy crowd pressure, barricades broke, leading to a… pic.twitter.com/LawWM8lsFH
— IANS (@ians_india) January 29, 2025
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about thousands being killed in the stampede were false and baseless.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 29, 2025
ANALYSIS: Unsubstantiated
FACT: Extremist propagandist accounts are disseminating claims, alleging that thousands of devotees lost their lives in the recent Mahakumbh Mela 2025 stampede in Prayagraj. These assertions are entirely baseless and fabricated. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/lEi2vMGYwH
Intent
Propaganda accounts are circulating false and fabricated claims about the unfortunate and tragic incident at the Mahakumbh Mela to set their narrative.
Conclusion
Claim– Thousands of devotees lost their lives during a stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Fact– According to the official sources, around 30 people lost their lives, not thousands
Related Article: Fact Check: Old video of Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav falsely shared as Mahakumbh Mela 2025 – D-Intent Data
