Fire at Kumbh Mela site after cylinder explodes; CM directs officials to compensate
Prayagraj (UP), Jan 14: A cooking gas cylinder exploded in a tent at the Digambar Ani Akhara at the Kumbh Mela site here on Monday, triggering a massive fire, prompting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to direct officials to compensate the loss immediately.
There was, however, no report of any one being injured, Akhara police station inspector Bhaskar Mishra told PTI.
The chief minister also directed the fire department to inspect all the tents and take necessary precautions, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.
According to officials, the fire broke out around 12.45 pm. Soon after, six fire tenders and eight ambulances were rushed to the spot.
The fire-fighters, with the help of the mela administration, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), took about 10 minutes to bring the blaze, which had engulfed the makeshift structure at the venue, under control, the police said.
Two vehicles and some materials kept at the site were damaged in the fire, they added.
The head of the Digambar Ani Akhara claimed that the fire broke out at an adjoining tent and spread to the kitchen tent of their camp, triggering the cylinder blast.
The fair officially opens on Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the first day of the sun's transit into the "Makara" (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. It will conclude on March 4 on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. More than 12 crore people are expected to take part in the event this year over the next 50 days.
#WATCH Fire fighting operations underway at a camp of Digambar Akhada at #KumbhMela in Prayagraj after a cylinder blast. No loss of life or injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/qcbh8IPl5Y
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019
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At least 64 people killed in strike on hospital in Sudan: World Health Organization
Cairo: At least 64 people, including at least 13 children, were killed in a strike on a hospital in the western Darfur region of Sudan on Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.
News agencies have reported that the strike on Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur on Friday not only injured at least 89 people but also rendered the hospital non-functional, Tedros Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, said in a post on X.
Sudan has been in a state of chaos since April 2023, when a power struggle between the military and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) developed into war across the country.
The RSF has blamed the military for the strike on the hospital.
The army, however, has denied the attack, but two military officials have said that the strike targeted a nearby police station. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to discuss the matter openly.
The war has killed more than 40,000 people, according to UN figures, but aid groups say that is an undercount and the true number could be many times higher.
The WHO has said that over 2,000 people have been killed in attacks on medical facilities since the start of the war.
“Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan,” said Ghebreyesus.
.@WHO has verified yet another attack on health care in #Sudan. This time, Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, was struck, killing at least 64 people, including 13 children, two female nurses, one male doctor, and multiple patients.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 21, 2026
As a result of this… pic.twitter.com/RAwDR5YVjd
