A stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on the night of Saturday, February 15, led to the deaths of at least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, while over a dozen others sustained injuries. The tragic incident unfolded on platforms 13 and 14 around 9.55 pm on Saturday as thousands of passengers, many of them pilgrims travelling to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, rushed to board their trains.
The chaos reportedly began after two key trains to Prayagraj were delayed, leading to an overwhelming build-up of passengers on the platform. As soon as the arrival of the trains was announced, desperate passengers surged forward, triggering the stampede. Eyewitnesses said that people started pushing each other in an attempt to secure seats, resulting in many being trampled.
According to a report by NDTV, an eye-witness described the scene as uncontrollable. “No one was listening. The situation quickly turned dangerous as people fell and were crushed underfoot,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of lives, stating, “I am deeply pained by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an inquiry into the incident, assuring that measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. The railway authorities and the Delhi Police are also working to identify lapses in crowd management and station infrastructure that may have contributed to the disaster.
The incident comes at a time when the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is drawing millions of devotees to Prayagraj. The festival, which involves ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, is considered highly auspicious for Hindus.
The massive influx of pilgrims has already raised safety concerns, especially after a similar tragedy at the festival site last month, in which at least 30 people were officially reported to have died in a stampede. However, a recent investigation by Newslaundry indicated that the death toll is at least 79.
Following the New Delhi Railway Station tragedy, the Ministry of Railways has announced that additional security personnel will be deployed at major railway stations catering to Maha Kumbh pilgrims. Steps are also being taken to streamline train schedules and regulate passenger movement to prevent overcrowding.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging devotees travelling for the festival to remain calm, follow safety protocols, and avoid last-minute rush that can lead to dangerous situations.