A massive fire broke out at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday afternoon, causing significant damage to 18 tents in the Tent City. Authorities confirmed that an explosion of cooking gas cylinders triggered the fire. Fortunately, they have reported no casualties so far.
The incident occurred around 4:30 PM in Sector 19 of the Mahakumbh Tent City, home to a variety of religious and cultural activities. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the tents, including one belonging to the prominent Gita Press. Local police and fire officials immediately responded to the situation, with 15 fire tenders deployed to combat the blaze.
Pramod Sharma, the chief fire officer for the Kumbh Mela, assured the public that firefighters swiftly brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading further. Ravindra Kumar, the district magistrate of Prayagraj, confirmed that the incident caused no injuries and that authorities had the situation under control.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, upon learning about the fire, visited the site to assess the damage and speak with officials and firefighting teams. He also coordinated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed concern over the incident and sought updates on the fire-fighting efforts.
The state government worked quickly to ensure the safety of the devotees at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, with additional support from local police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma expressed his gratitude to divine forces for the absence of any casualties. He thanked Ma Ganga, Triveni, and Lete Hanuman ji for sparing lives in the incident. He also commended the police and fire teams for their quick action, highlighting that they contained the blaze in just 20 minutes.
The Samajwadi Party, on social media, expressed its concern over the incident and urged the government to expedite relief and rescue operations to prevent further damage.
The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, started on January 13, 2025, and will continue until February 26. The event attracts millions of pilgrims from across India and around the world, who come to bathe in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. In just six days, over 7 crore devotees have visited the site, with an estimated 45 crore people expected to attend during the course of the Mela.
While the fire incident was a major setback, the swift response from authorities ensured that the situation did not escalate further, allowing the Mahakumbh to continue as scheduled without significant disruption.
