History of Stampedes in India: Tragedies in Crowds

 History of Stampedes in India: Tragedies in Crowds

India, with its vast population and deep-rooted traditions, frequently hosts large gatherings—be it religious festivals, political rallies, or public events. Unfortunately, these events have sometimes been marred by tragic stampedes, leading to loss of lives and raising concerns about crowd management and safety protocols.

Understanding Stampedes

A stampede occurs when a densely packed crowd moves in panic, often triggered by fear, excitement, or a sudden event. In these situations, people may fall and get trampled or crushed, leading to injuries and fatalities. Stampedes are often preventable with proper planning and safety infrastructure.

Major Stampedes in Indian History

1. Kumbh Mela Stampede (1954, Allahabad)

One of India’s deadliest stampedes occurred during the Kumbh Mela in 1954, claiming more than 800 lives. The tragedy happened when a temporary bridge railing broke, and pilgrims fell into the river while trying to cross.

2. Chamunda Devi Temple Stampede (2008, Jodhpur)

During the Navratri festival, over 220 people died and 400 were injured in a stampede caused by a rumor of a bomb explosion at the temple.

3. Sabarimala Temple Stampedes (1999 & 2011, Kerala)

Two deadly stampedes occurred at the famous Sabarimala temple. In 1999, 53 people died, and in 2011, a returning pilgrimage group triggered a stampede killing 106 people due to overcrowding and poor pathway infrastructure.

4. Allahabad Railway Station (2013)

At the 2013 Kumbh Mela, 36 people died in a stampede at the railway station. The rush of pilgrims returning home after a holy dip overwhelmed the station’s capacity.

5. Elphinstone Station Footbridge Tragedy (2017, Mumbai)

In Mumbai, 23 people died on a narrow railway footbridge at Elphinstone Road station when sudden rain and panic triggered a crush during rush hour.

Recent Stampedes (2024–2025)

6. Hathras Satsang Stampede (July 2, 2024, Uttar Pradesh)

A large crowd gathered for a religious event led by Bhole Baba (Narayan Sakar Hari) in Hathras district. Despite permission for only 80,000 attendees, over 250,000 people reportedly turned up. As the spiritual leader departed, a surge of followers caused a stampede, killing 121 people, including many women and children, and injuring over 200. The disaster was worsened by wet, slippery ground and inadequate exits.

7. New Delhi Railway Station Crush (February 15, 2025)

Amid heavy traffic due to the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage, overcrowding at New Delhi railway station led to 18 deaths. A pile-up on a footbridge occurred when a few people slipped, triggering panic. Victims ranged in age from a 7-year-old girl to a 79-year-old man.

Other Tragic Stampedes

Stampedes have also occurred at:

Vaishno Devi shrine (2022): 12 pilgrims died.

Patna railway station (2014): Panic triggered by a bomb scare caused several fatalities.

Ratangarh temple, Madhya Pradesh (2013): 115 people were killed when a rumor of a bridge collapse spread during a religious event.

Common Causes of Stampedes in India

Overcrowding: Often more people attend than anticipated.

Poor infrastructure: Inadequate exits and narrow passages can trap people.

Rumors & panic: Fear-inducing rumors often lead to chaos.

Inadequate planning: Events are often poorly coordinated without crowd control systems.

Lack of emergency services: Delayed response worsens outcomes.

Painful News:

RCB Victory Parade Stampede (June 4, 2025, Bengaluru)

One of the more unusual stampedes occurred during a sports celebration rather than a religious gathering. After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, more than 200,000 fans gathered spontaneously outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The event had been announced only hours earlier, with minimal crowd control arrangements. The large turnout overwhelmed police and organizers. A surge near one of the stadium gates resulted in a crush that killed 11 people and injured dozens. The incident led to widespread public criticism and an official investigation into the mishandling of the celebration.

Lessons and the Way Forward

Every stampede in India reveals similar gaps in preparedness and infrastructure. Some critical steps to prevent future tragedies include:

Strict regulation of crowd limits

Better planning and training for emergency scenarios

Use of technology like drones, surveillance, and AI-based crowd modeling

Regular safety audits for public venues

Public education on emergency behavior

Conclusion

The history of stampedes in India serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unregulated crowds and poor planning. While religious and public gatherings are integral to the country’s culture, lives can be saved with better governance, infrastructure, and crowd control systems. Learning from past tragedies is the only way to ensure they are not repeated.