Four devotees, including mother-daughter duo, from Belagavi die in Maha Kumbh Mela stampede

BELAGAVI: At least four devotees from Belagavi lost their lives in a stampede during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the district authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The dead include the mother-daughter duo of Jyothi Hattarmath (50) and Megha Hattarmath (24) of Vadgaon. They had travelled as part of a group of 13 through Sairath Travels three days ago. All through Wednesday, their phones were ringing but they did not received calls from the family members.

Arun Koparde’s wife Kalpana is battling for life in a hospital in Prayagraj.

The other deceased are Arun Koparde (61), a resident of Shetty Galli, and Mahadevi (48), a resident of Shivaji Nagar. Arun Koparde’s wife Kanchana Koparde is also among those seriously injured.

Belagavi district Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan confirmed the deaths and informed the media over the phone. A special team, headed by a senior district officer and a police officer, has been formed to travel to Prayagraj to bring back the bodies.

According to the DC, the deaths of four devotees in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela were confirmed, and the information was shared with the media. He said, “A special team formed under the leadership of a special district commissioner and a senior police officer. He added a special team will travel to Prayagraj to bring back the bodies.”

A stampede-like situation occurred at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in several casualties. The incident happened as millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which also marks the day of the Second Shahi Snan.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, offering full support from the Centre.In response to the incident, heavy security has been deployed at the Triveni Sangam, with police ensuring the smooth movement of the akharas and saints for their Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by 10 AM on Wednesday, 36.1 million devotees had taken the holy dip at Triveni. Other key bathing dates during the Maha Kumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)