Prayagraj, India – A fire broke out on Sunday at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, due to a gas cylinder explosion. The incident occurred in Sector 19 of the sprawling festival grounds, damaging 18 temporary tents. Thanks to the quick response of firefighting teams, the blaze was extinguished within an hour, and no injuries or casualties were reported.
The Incident
The fire, which erupted around 10:30 AM, created temporary chaos as pilgrims rushed to safety. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, which was later identified as a gas cylinder blast in one of the festival kitchens. Around 15 fire tenders were deployed to the site, preventing the fire from spreading further.
Speaking on the incident, Pramod Sharma, the Chief Fire Officer of Kumbh Mela, stated, “Our teams acted swiftly to contain the fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the situation is under control.”
Safety Measures and Response
The Maha Kumbh Mela, often regarded as the world’s largest religious gathering, attracts millions of devotees annually. This year’s event began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, a temporary city of over 150,000 tents and thousands of facilities has been set up across a vast area in Prayagraj.
Following the fire, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to review safety measures and assured that the administration is taking every precaution to prevent such incidents. In his statement, he said, “The safety of devotees is our top priority. Investigations are underway, and additional fire safety protocols will be implemented immediately.”
The Kumbh Mela administration expressed their relief that the situation was managed effectively, adding, “We are committed to ensuring the safety and sanctity of this grand festival. Regular inspections of kitchens and facilities are being intensified.”
Background of the Festival
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu festival held every 12 years, with Prayagraj hosting the largest congregation. This year, an estimated 400 million devotees are expected to participate, with 77 million pilgrims already taking a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
With over 50,000 security personnel, advanced fire fighting equipment, and robust medical infrastructure in place, the festival organizers aim to ensure the smooth functioning of this massive event.
Next Steps
Despite the unfortunate incident, the festival’s proceedings have resumed without disruption. Authorities are now focused on reinforcing safety measures, particularly in high-risk zones like kitchens and temporary accommodations.
Upcoming key dates for devotees include Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), and Maha Shivaratri (February 26), which are expected to draw millions of pilgrims.
The quick containment of the fire at the Maha Kumbh Mela highlights the preparedness of emergency response teams. While the incident underscores the challenges of managing such a massive gathering, it also reflects the resilience of the organizers and devotees.
BY – NIKITA