Prayagraj’s Magh Mela, a beacon of faith for millions, is reeling from its third fire outbreak in 48 hours—a raging inferno sparked by the Akhand Jyoti that torched a tent and left a youth clinging to life with grave burns. The string of incidents underscores urgent safety gaps in one of India’s grandest religious spectacles.
As twilight fell over the Ganga-Yamuna sangam, a sudden gust carried sparks from the Akhand Jyoti directly onto the flammable tent roof. What began as a flicker exploded into a full-blown fire, devouring the structure in seconds and sending pilgrims running for cover. The acrid smoke billowed high, visible from distant ghats.
Responders, including six fire engines, doused the flames after intense efforts, but the damage was done. 24-year-old Rajesh Kumar, a first-time visitor, heroically confronted the blaze to evacuate trapped friends, sustaining 65% burns. Admitted to Prayagraj Medical College, his prognosis remains uncertain amid risks of sepsis and respiratory distress.
The pattern is alarming: two prior fires in the same vicinity, both wind-related, escaped major harm but signaled trouble. Mela officials cite overcrowding and weather as factors, yet pilgrims accuse lax enforcement of building codes for temporary shelters. ‘Akhand Jyoti is holy, but not at the cost of lives,’ vented an eyewitness.
In response, the district magistrate has mobilized crisis teams for comprehensive safety overhauls—installing sprinklers, enforcing tent buffers, and banning synthetic materials. Awareness campaigns via loudspeakers urge caution around open fires. With the mela set to host peak crowds, these measures are critical. The incidents serve as a stark reminder: blending ancient rituals with modern crowds demands flawless preparedness to protect the devout.