A huge crowd gathered at Shivneri Fort in Pune district. Devotees arrived to celebrate Shivaji Jayanti at the historic site.
However, heavy footfall soon created severe congestion inside the premises. Consequently, overcrowding led to a stampede that injured several attendees.
Women and young children were among those affected. Authorities rushed injured individuals to nearby medical facilities immediately.
Congestion at Key Access Points
Visitors carrying the ceremonial Shiv Jyot gathered since Wednesday night. Moreover, members of various organizations joined the celebrations in large numbers.
Pune, Maharashtra: A railing broke amid heavy crowding during celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary at Shivneri Fort in Junnar, leaving several women and children with minor injuries. The injured were admitted to Junnar Government Hospital and are… pic.twitter.com/Hl7Og1zRAw
— IANS (@ians_india) February 19, 2026
Therefore, key entry and exit routes became heavily crowded early morning. Narrow pathways near Hathi Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza witnessed intense pressure.
As groups moved forward simultaneously, crowd control weakened significantly. Consequently, panic spread quickly through the packed lines.
Visuals Show Overcrowded Conditions
Videos captured from the top of the fort showed a sea of people. Devotees carried saffron flags and Shiv Jyot while moving slowly.
However, as congestion worsened, several individuals attempted desperate escape routes. Some climbed onto dilapidated fort structures seeking safer ground.
Others used cracks in the fort walls for support. Consequently, these fragile areas became overcrowded and dangerous.
Police Deployment Proves Insufficient
Authorities acknowledged that police deployment remained inadequate for the turnout. Moreover, officials admitted that they underestimated the crowd size.
Therefore, managing simultaneous inflow and outflow at narrow gates became challenging. As pressure built at Amberkhana’s access points, the situation escalated rapidly.
#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra | Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill says, “…If you look at the Shiv Janmasthan here, on top of the Shivneri Fort in Junnar, a large number of people have been coming here for darshan since yesterday morning and darshan continued throughout the… pic.twitter.com/wF93kbuwVT
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026
Despite efforts, crowd movement became uncontrollable for a brief period. Consequently, a stampede occurred near the congested gates.
Emergency Response and Medical Aid
Emergency services responded promptly to the incident. Ambulances transported injured individuals to the government hospital in Junnar.
Officials confirmed that doctors are providing treatment to all affected persons. Moreover, authorities stated that injuries appear non-fatal at present.
Police have begun reviewing security arrangements at the fort. Therefore, officials aim to prevent similar incidents during large gatherings.
Safety Concerns at Historic Sites
Shivneri Fort attracts thousands during Shivaji Jayanti celebrations annually. However, heritage sites often face structural limitations.
Therefore, crowd management becomes critical during high-footfall events. Authorities may now reassess safety protocols and deployment strategies.
While celebrations aimed to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, the incident highlighted planning gaps. Consequently, officials must strengthen coordination and preparedness.
The administration has assured thorough review of the event. Meanwhile, devotees continue to pray for the swift recovery of the injured.
