At least 18 killed in stampede at New Delhi Railway Station

The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on the intervening night of Feb 15-16 claimed at least 18 lives, including that of 14 women and 4 children while injuring a dozen others, a senior railway official said.

The railway station witnessed a surge of passengers on platforms 14 and 15 waiting to board trains for Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is ongoing.

According to Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay, Patna-bound Magadh Express was standing at platform number 14 and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was stationed at platform number 15 at the time of the incident.

"Some people who were coming down from the footover bridge towards platform numbers 14 and 15 using stairs slipped and fell on others," he said, citing the cause of the stampede.

Delays in train departures and the sale of 1,500 general tickets every hour may have created a chaotic situation at the New Delhi Railway station, the sources said.

As per official sources, the wrong announcement about the change of platforms may also have created confusion that led to the stampede.

A compensation of ₹10 lakh has been announced each for the next of kin of those killed in the stampede.

Those seriously injured will get ₹2.5 lakh and those with minor injuries 1 lakh, the railway said.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the loss of lives in the stampede.

"Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," the President said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister said, "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".

An investigation has been launched by the Delhi Police who will analyse CCTV footage to determine the sequence of events before the chaos erupted.

"Our main target is to investigate the main cause which caused the stampede. We will collect all data of CCTV footage and announcements done during that time," a police source said.

Meanwhile, the Congress accused the government of attempting to hide the truth about the deaths in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the deaths and said it was extremely shameful and condemnable that the Modi government was attempting to "hide the truth" about the deaths.

Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences adding that better arrangements should have been made at the station seeing the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.

He also said the incident highlights the "failure" of the Railways and the "insensitivity" of the government.

"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

"This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Better arrangements should have been made at the station given the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj," Gandhi said in a post on X.

"The government and the administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, terming it as "heartbreaking".

"The loss of lives in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heart-breaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.

"Prayers to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow and speedy recovery to the injured," he said.

Railways have also ordered an inquiry to probe the cause of the stampede.

Two high administrative group officials — Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway — have been appointed as members of the committee.

This isn't the first time a stampede has occurred due to overcrowding because of the ongoing Maha Kumbh. In January, at least 30 people lost their lives and 60 others were injured in a pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area, where millions of pilgrims struggled for space to take a holy dip on the highly auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

(with PTI inputs)