Thousands missing four days after stampede

Even four days after the horrific tragedy that struck at Allahabad railway station on Mauni Amavasya killing 36 people and injuring many, thousands of devotees were still untraceable and their kin are frantically looking for them in the Sangam city of Allahabad.

Mahakumbh officials said around 10,000 devotees were still untraceable after Sunday’s stampede. The kin of the devotees have been searching hospitals looking for the missing ones while the administration is helpless in rendering any help to them.

Many devotees had arrived at the Mahakumbh to take a holy dip in the Sangam waters on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya in groups.

“ While many of the members of the groups have reached their destinations, many others have still not arrived”, the officials said.

There were also many families whose members were not traceable.

 A family from Bihar was seen frantically searching for their seven members, who have been untraceable since Sunday's stampede. “I have not been able to find my parents and others since the tragedy,” said Jitendra Mahato. “I did not find them in hospital, their names were not in the list of the dead either. I do not know where to look for them,” a harried Jitendra said.

Some people made an attempt to appeal to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav about the matter when the latter had visited the city on Tuesday but they were stopped by the security personnel.

“There is very little we can do, devotees have been leaving the city in large numbers since the tragedy, some may have boarded the wrong train or bus,” said a senior official.