Delhi Railway Station Stampede Amid Maha Kumbh Rush: 18 Dead, Several Injured
Delhi Railway Station Stampede Amid Maha Kumbh Rush: 18 Dead, Several Injured
New Delhi, Sunday: At least 18 people lost their lives, and several others were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening amid the Maha Kumbh rush. The death toll, initially feared to be 15, rose to 18 by Sunday morning, according to Delhi police.
Incident Details
The stampede occurred on platforms 14 and 15 of New Delhi Railway Station. The fire department received distress calls at around 9:55 pm, and four fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. The injured were taken to Lok Nayak Hospital, where a senior official confirmed 15 deaths, which later increased to 18.
Railways Announces Compensation
The Railways announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Prime Minister and Ministers Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted 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 for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the incident “devastating” and expressed his deep sorrow. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the situation was under control and that special trains were arranged to manage the rush.
Eyewitness Account
Manoj Shah, who lost his daughter, father-in-law, and mother-in-law in the incident, recalled receiving a call from his brother-in-law, saying, “There has been a stampede. People are trampling each other.” Shah’s family was en route to the Maha Kumbh.
Police Investigation Underway
Delhi police released a list of the deceased and have started an investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage from the station. DCP (Railways) KPS Malhotra reported that overcrowding occurred as Prayagraj Express was on platform 14, and passengers from Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, which were delayed, also filled platforms 12, 13, and 14. He noted that 1,500 general tickets were sold, leading to the uncontrollable crowd.
Railways Clarifies Incident
In an official statement, the Railways clarified that an unprecedented surge occurred around 9:30 pm at platforms 13 and 14. Some passengers fainted due to the congestion, triggering panic and chaos. The situation was brought under control by easing the crowd.
Political Reactions
The Congress party, in a statement on X, expressed condolences and questioned the government’s preparedness. It demanded that the bodies of the deceased be promptly handed over to their families and that arrangements be made for their transportation. Additionally, the party criticized the government for not arranging additional trains despite knowing about the Maha Kumbh rush.
Scene at the Station
The aftermath of the chaos was evident at New Delhi Railway Station, with piles of belongings—footwear, bottles, belts, and bags—left behind. At Lok Nayak Hospital, where the injured were admitted, police deployment was increased, and access to the morgue was restricted.
