Massive fire erupts at Maha Kumbh tents in Prayagraj, no casualties reported

A devastating fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Sunday evening following the explosion of two to three gas cylinders at a campsite in Sector 19. Flames engulfed several tents, but authorities quickly contained the blaze, and no injuries or casualties were reported.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to assess the situation and oversee emergency response efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also contacted the Chief Minister to inquire about the incident and the steps being taken.

Several fire tenders stationed at the venue as part of pre-arranged safety measures rushed to the site immediately. Local authorities, along with police and fire department teams, coordinated efforts to extinguish the fire. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also assisted in managing the situation.

Additional Director General (ADG) of Prayagraj Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, confirmed that the fire resulted from cylinder explosions. "The fire has been controlled. Everyone is safe, and no injuries have been reported," he said.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire consumed at least 18 tents, leaving several reduced to ashes. A video shared on social media by a train passenger traveling over a nearby bridge captured the dramatic scene, showing massive flames and thick smoke billowing from the campsite.

Authorities swiftly evacuated people from nearby tents to ensure their safety. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that government and health department officials were at the site providing assistance to saints and devotees. “The government is closely monitoring the situation, and everything is under control now,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Maha Kumbh 2025's official X handle expressed sorrow over the incident, posting, "Very sad! The fire incident at #MahaKumbh has shocked everyone. The administration is ensuring immediate relief and rescue operations. We pray Maa Ganga for everyone's safety."

The grand Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima, has so far witnessed over 7.72 crore devotees participating in the sacred Hindu festival. On Sunday alone, more than 46.95 lakh devotees took the holy dip (‘snan’).

Local authorities have assured all devotees that safety measures at the Maha Kumbh are being further strengthened to prevent such incidents in the future.