New Delhi: At least 18 people, including three children, were killed and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, according to police sources. The tragedy unfolded on platforms 14 and 15 as large crowds rushed to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s biggest religious gatherings.
Here are the top updates:
- A stampede broke out at New Delhi Railway Station as thousands of passengers crowded platforms to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival.
- Authorities confirmed that at least 18 people, including three children, lost their lives in the tragic incident.
- Delhi acting Chief Minister Atishi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and mourned the loss of lives.
- The incident took place around 9:55 pm when overcrowding worsened due to a surge in passengers and multiple train delays and cancellations.
- Railway officials said that platform 14 became heavily congested as passengers waited for the Prayagraj Express. Delays in two other Prayagraj-bound trains—the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani—worsened the situation.
- According to the deputy commissioner of police (railways), approximately 1,500 general tickets were being sold per hour, leading to uncontrollable overcrowding. The stampede occurred at platform 14 and near the escalator at platform 16.
- After the incident, Delhi Fire Service sent four fire tenders, while RPF and Delhi Police helped evacuate injured passengers. They were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
- Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes with intense pushing and jostling, leaving many struggling to breathe in the packed crowd.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has initiated an inquiry into the incident and arranged for four special trains to help ease congestion at the station.
- Railway authorities denied stampede rumours, but Delhi LG VK Saxena and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh mentioned casualties and called it a stampede.
