At least 18 people, including 14 women, died in a stampede at New Delhi railway station. The incident occurred on Saturday and was reported by the Press Trust of India on Sunday. Most victims were Hindu pilgrims on their way to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, northern India, according to Delhi’s caretaker chief minister, Atishi.
Cause of the stampede
Thousands of people gathered at the station, waiting to board trains. The stampede began when some passengers fell while descending from a footbridge connecting the platforms. This triggered a chain reaction that led to the chaos.
Sheela Devi, who visited Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital to collect her daughter-in-law’s body, said an announcement about a change in train platforms caused confusion. As a result, the crowd grew uncontrollable.
Nikhil Kumar, a local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident, added, “The crowd surged, and no one could manage it.”
Official reactions and investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the event. He offered condolences to those who lost loved ones and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Modi also assured that authorities were providing assistance to the affected.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that an investigation would take place to determine the cause of the stampede.
This tragic event follows another stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival last month, where at least 30 people died after millions of pilgrims gathered for a ritual bath in the sacred river.
