The sacred sands of Prayagraj’s Magh Mela turned into a scene of panic once again as a fire erupted for the third time in 48 hours, triggered by the Akhand Jyoti and reducing a pilgrim tent to ashes. A young man sustained life-threatening injuries in the mishap, prompting outrage over recurring safety lapses at the massive religious event.
The incident unfolded shortly after dusk when embers from the revered Akhand Jyoti, symbolizing unwavering devotion, were whipped up by gusty winds into the adjacent tent fabric. Within minutes, the entire setup was ablaze, forcing pilgrims to flee in disarray. Videos circulating on social media captured the orange glow illuminating the night sky, with cries of ‘Aag lag gayi!’ echoing across the mela grounds.
Firefighting teams from Prayagraj district arrived promptly, deploying multiple hoses to quench the flames that threatened nearby structures. Tragically, one brave soul, a 24-year-old devotee named Rajesh, got trapped while helping others escape and suffered extensive burns covering more than half his body. He is currently fighting for life in intensive care, with specialists monitoring for infections.
These back-to-back fires have exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the mela’s fire management. The first incident on Tuesday singed a small area, followed by another minor blaze yesterday. Despite assurances, experts point to overcrowding, use of synthetic tent materials, and proximity of open flames as key risks. ‘Windy conditions amplify dangers around Akhand Jyoti setups,’ noted fire safety consultant Dr. Meera Singh.
As lakhs of faithful continue their rituals at the holy sangam, the administration faces mounting pressure. Emergency meetings are underway to redistribute tents, supply fire-resistant fabrics, and train volunteers in basic firefighting. Devotees express mixed sentiments—faith unshaken, but calls for accountability growing louder. The Mela Committee vows zero tolerance for negligence, aiming to restore confidence before the peak bathing days.