At least 18 people, including 11 women and four children, lost their lives in a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. The chaos erupted as a result of an overwhelming rush of passengers caused by delays in two scheduled trains and the arrival of a special Express train for the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage. Over a dozen individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:55 pm, prompting an immediate emergency response from authorities.
In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Railways has launched an inquiry into the "unfortunate" event and has constituted a high-level, two-member committee to investigate the matter thoroughly.
What Led to the Stampede?
Officials have attributed the stampede to train delays and the sale of nearly 1,500 general tickets, which led to an uncontrollable surge in the crowd.
According to the police, platforms 13 and 14 at New Delhi Railway Station were already packed with passengers awaiting two delayed trains—the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express. Compounding the situation, the Prayagraj Express, a special train designated for Maha Kumbh, was scheduled to depart from platform 14 at 10:10 pm.
As the departure time for the Prayagraj Express drew closer, the already crowded platform became even more congested, with thousands of additional passengers arriving. Officials reported that during this period, more than a thousand general tickets were purchased by pilgrims bound for Maha Kumbh.
Further exacerbating the chaos, a rumour spread among passengers that the Prayagraj Express would be arriving at a different platform. This misinformation triggered a sudden rush, as passengers scrambled towards the stairs, inadvertently sparking the stampede.
Recurring Incidents Amid Maha Kumbh Travel Rush
The tragedy is part of a concerning trend of similar incidents occurring in recent weeks as special trains are being arranged for the Maha Kumbh—a grand religious festival held once every 12 years. Earlier this week, frustrated passengers at Bihar's Madhubani Railway Station shattered the glass windows of the Swatantrata Senani Express, which travels to Delhi via Prayagraj, after being unable to board due to overcrowding.
With inputs from agencies
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