NEW DELHI: At least 18 people have died in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. The incident occurred on Saturday night, around 10 p.m., as passengers rushed to catch trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The stampede left 18 dead, including 9 women and 5 children, according to local authorities. Police stated the overcrowding was caused by train delays and an influx of people. The chaotic scene lasted for 10-15 minutes, which caused the deadly crush.
Police Respond
Delhi police confirmed the death toll in a statement to local media. The crowd had gathered to board trains heading for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela is being held. The religious gathering draws millions of attendees every year, with this year’s event expecting 400 million people. Authorities said that overcrowding became uncontrollable in the short period of chaos. Officials are now working to assist the affected families and manage the aftermath.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the deaths. “I am distressed by the loss of life,” Modi said in a statement. He added his thoughts were with the victims’ families, and hoped for the injured’s recovery. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also shared his condolences and noted the ongoing efforts to assist those impacted. He confirmed that four trains had been dispatched to evacuate people from the station.
Festival Rush
Many victims were heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela, considered the world’s largest peaceful religious gathering. The event takes place in Prayagraj, where millions gather to bathe in the holy river. The festival began earlier this year and will last over six weeks. It’s expected that around 400 million pilgrims will attend, making it one of the largest gatherings in the world. This tragedy follows a similar stampede at the festival grounds, where many also lost their lives.
Authorities are taking additional measures to ensure safety in light of recent incidents. Emergency teams have been deployed to assist the wounded. The incident has raised concerns over crowd management at large-scale events in India. As the country approaches more religious festivals, experts urge for better crowd control and safety measures. Modi and other officials have promised to review security and prevent such incidents in the future.
Government Actions
The Ministry of Railways, alongside local law enforcement, worked swiftly to restore order at the station. As part of the response, four trains were deployed to transport people away from the site. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reassured the public that all resources were being used to help those affected. Authorities have promised a detailed investigation into the stampede’s cause and how it escalated so rapidly. The government also stated it would take steps to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
