Tragic Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 15 Lives, Including 3 Children
New Delhi Railway Station Stampede: 15 Dead in Tragic Incident, 11 Injured
A devastating stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night has left 15 people dead, including three children, and 11 others injured. The tragic incident occurred as thousands of passengers gathered at the station to board trains heading to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The overcrowded platforms and chaos led to a deadly crush, prompting widespread shock and sorrow across the nation.
Overcrowding Sparks Fatal Chaos
The stampede broke out at approximately 9:55 pm on Saturday, with platforms 12, 13, and 14 at New Delhi Railway Station overwhelmed by passengers. According to eyewitnesses, the situation quickly escalated as overcrowding led to suffocation, causing several passengers to faint. In the ensuing panic, people began pushing each other, triggering the fatal stampede.
The Prayagraj Express was stationed at platform 14, while the delays of other trains, such as the Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express, further exacerbated the congestion. The deputy commissioner of police (railway) confirmed that the railway station sold up to 1,500 general tickets per hour, contributing to the overcrowded and uncontrollable environment.
“As per CMI, every hour 1,500 general tickets were sold by railways, which led to the station becoming overcrowded,” the deputy commissioner stated. “The stampede occurred on platform 14 and near the escalator close to platform 16.”
National Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident and offered condolences to the families of the victims. “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. The authorities are assisting all those affected by this stampede,” PM Modi wrote on X.
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. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the incident, calling it “devastating” and sharing his condolences with the victims’ families. “I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he tweeted.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured the public that authorities were managing the situation. “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those affected by this tragic incident,” he posted on X.
Emergency Response and Medical Aid
The incident prompted an immediate emergency response, with officials rushing to the scene to manage the crisis. Passengers who were injured, some critically, were quickly transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources from the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital confirmed that 10-12 injured passengers were admitted for care.
“A few fatalities have been reported, though the exact number is yet to be confirmed,” a hospital source told PTI. “Most of the patients have sustained injuries requiring surgery or orthopedic treatment.”
The hospital staff worked around the clock to treat the injured, with most of the patients reported to be in stable condition despite the severity of their injuries. The chaos left many families distraught as they searched for their loved ones among the injured and the deceased.
Investigation and Authorities’ Response
As investigations continue, the authorities are looking into the causes of the overcrowding and whether inadequate crowd management measures contributed to the deadly stampede. The railway station’s handling of passenger flow and ticket sales will be scrutinized as part of the ongoing probe.
In the wake of this tragedy, questions are being raised about the preparedness of the railway station and the need for better crowd control, especially during major festivals like the Maha Kumbh, which draws millions of visitors.
The station had seen a significant influx of passengers heading to the Kumbh festival, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Authorities had urged travelers to plan ahead, but the sheer number of people attempting to board trains created an uncontrollable situation.
A Nationwide Tragedy
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many expressing their grief and sympathy for the victims. While the authorities have promised to take swift action to assist the victims’ families, the tragic loss of life has raised concerns about overcrowding and safety measures at India’s busiest railway stations.
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, there is an increasing call for more stringent regulations to prevent such incidents from happening again. The tragedy at New Delhi Railway Station serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with managing the immense pressure on public infrastructure during peak travel times.
Moving Forward: Prevention and Safety Measures
In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Indian government and the Railway Ministry are expected to review crowd management protocols and implement enhanced safety measures at major railway stations across the country. These steps are crucial to ensure that future incidents of this nature can be avoided and that the safety of passengers is prioritized at all times.