After remaining tight-lipped about the death toll of the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj for hours, the Uttar Pradesh administration was quick to blame a “frenzied” crowd for the mishap when it finally issued an official statement on the number of casualties.
But several eyewitnesses attributed the deaths to the mismanagement by the administration and police inability to control the crowd. Speaking to Newslaundry, they blamed the police for not being able to manage the swelling crowd on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya at what is believed to be the largest gathering of humanity.
Hours after the mishap, dozens of pilgrims were still desperately searching for their relatives at the nearest lost and found centre.
Watch this ground report to know how the tragedy unfolded and its devastating aftermath.
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