18 Killed in Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Amid Maha Kumbh Rush.
New Delhi:
The death toll from a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night has risen to 18, with more than a dozen others injured. The tragedy occurred during the surge of passengers attempting to board trains heading to Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is currently underway. The stampede took place on platforms 14 and 15, which were already packed with passengers.
According to Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay, the incident happened when passengers coming down from the footover bridge slipped and fell on others while descending the stairs. The chaotic situation was exacerbated by overcrowding, delays in train departures, and the sale of 1,500 general tickets every hour.
The two trains that were stationed on the platforms during the incident—the Patna-bound Magadh Express on platform 14 and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express on platform 15—were among those impacted by the chaos. A possible miscommunication, including an incorrect announcement regarding platform changes, further fueled confusion, contributing to the stampede.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with passengers fainting due to suffocation and being pushed in the rush. One of the victims, a family member of a deceased, recounted how they were traveling together when his mother died in the chaos. Several women, including minors, were among the victims, with 14 women and five minors, two of them under the age of 10, confirmed dead.
Delhi Police have initiated an investigation into the cause of the stampede. According to a police source, the authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and the announcements made during the time of the incident to determine the exact cause.
Railway authorities have announced compensation for the victims’ families, with Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those killed, Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed condolences following the tragedy. “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for a speedy recovery of those injured,” President Murmu said in a statement. Prime Minister Modi also expressed his distress, offering his condolences and wishing for the injured to recover swiftly.
Delhi’s Acting Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that 15 bodies were brought to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi. In addition to the fatalities, several passengers have been treated for injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The station, already overwhelmed by the increased number of passengers due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh, had also seen delays in several trains, with the Prayagraj Express and others facing significant scheduling disruptions. This led to overcrowding across platforms 12, 13, and 14.
The tragic incident has raised questions about the preparedness and crowd management at major transportation hubs, especially during large-scale events like the Kumbh Mela. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
