At least 15 people, including ten women and three children, lost their lives in a devastating stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 2000 local time (1430 GMT) as passengers rushed to board two delayed trains bound for Prayagraj, which is hosting the Maha Kumbh festival.
Eyewitnesses reported that the chaos erupted on platforms 14 and 15, where a massive crowd had gathered, leading to panic and suffocation. Some passengers fainted, sparking rumors of a stampede-like situation and further intensifying the panic. Emergency services were quickly deployed to the scene, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery.” Authorities have launched a high-level investigation into the incident to determine the cause and prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Maha Kumbh festival, a significant religious gathering, has drawn thousands of pilgrims to Prayagraj, leading to an unprecedented surge in passengers at the railway station. The Railways has arranged additional special trains to manage the crowd and ensure the safety of travelers.
