NEW DELHI, Feb 16: A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday night resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, with more than a dozen others injured, according to officials.
The chaos ensued as a large crowd of travelers waited to board trains to Prayagraj, which is currently hosting the Maha Kumbh, particularly on platforms 14 and 15.
Acting Chief Minister Atishi reported that 15 fatalities were recorded at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi, with all but two victims identified; among them were three children.
Nearly 15 others suffered injuries and are receiving medical attention, Atishi confirmed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident via a post on X, stating, “I am distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing support to all affected.”
Witnesses reported that the overwhelming surge of people at the station triggered the stampede, with numerous passengers fainting due to the crush.
In an official statement, the deputy police commissioner (railway) noted that platform 14 was already overcrowded as the Prayagraj Express awaited departure.
He added that trains like the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed, contributing to the congestion on platforms 12, 13, and 14.
According to the officer, every hour, approximately 1,500 general tickets were being sold, exacerbating the overcrowding. The stampede began around 9:55 PM, prompting an emergency response from authorities.
A victim shared that his mother died in the chaos, saying, “We were traveling to our home in Chhapra, Bihar, but my mother lost her life amid the pandemonium. People were pushing each other.” He added, “The doctor has confirmed my mother’s passing.” A grieving family member fainted at the scene.
Rescue teams and four fire tenders were dispatched, as stated by Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg.
Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Himanshu Upadhyay, informed PTI that the pushing and shoving among passengers led to several injuries, all of whom received first aid.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “I am heartbroken by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the grieving families, and I pray for the injured’s quick recovery.”
Delhi LG VK Saxena also expressed his condolences on X but later modified his post to omit references to the casualties without providing an explanation. In his initial comments, he described the situation as “unfortunate and tragic,” expressing deep sympathies to the victims’ families.
Passenger Dharmendra Singh recounted, “I was heading to Prayagraj, but numerous trains were delayed or canceled. The station was packed beyond belief. I witnessed six or seven women being taken away on stretchers.”
Another traveler, Pramod Chaurasia, mentioned, “I had a sleeper-class ticket for the Purushottam Express, but even those with confirmed seats were unable to board. Friends and I managed to stay safe by remaining outside with our children.”
Before confirming any fatalities, Railway Board executive Dilip Kumar indicated to PTI that a “stampede-like” situation had developed due to the overwhelming number of passengers, causing several to collapse.
“Four special trains have already been deployed for passenger convenience, with more under consideration,” he added.
