New Delhi:
At least 15 people, including 10 women and three children, died after a sudden stream of passengers caused by two trains for the Maha Kumbh that was postponed, led to an overcrowding situation at New Delhi train station on Saturday evening, officials said.
The deaths were confirmed by the Chief Casualty Medical Officer of the LNJP Hospital in Delhi. Officials said that 10 women, three children and two men died in the incident. The Railways ordered an investigation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with grief about the incident.
The chaotic situation developed around 8 p.m. on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the station while passengers were waiting for trains to prayagraj.
Officials said that additional safety forces were used to control the situation at the train station and that four fire engines were also taken to the place. Minister of Spoorweg Ashwini Vaishnaw said the situation is under control.
“Situation under control at New Delhi Train Station (NDLS). Delhi Police and RPF (railway police) reached. Wently brought to the hospital. Special trains are being carried out to evacuate sudden Rush,” the minister posted on X.
Situation under control at New Delhi Train Station (NDLS)
The police of Delhi and RPF reached. Injured to the hospital. Special trains are performed to evacuate suddenly.– Ashwini Vaishnaw (@ashwinivaishnaw) February 15, 2025
Railway authorities insisted on people not to believe rumors about a rush.
Although the railroad authorities were initially not confirmed, Delhi -Lieutenant -Governor VK Saxena and Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh spoke about a loss of lives. Mr. Saxena and the minister also called the incident a rush.
“There has been an unhappy and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries as a result of disorder and rush at the New Delhi train station. My deepest participation in the families of victims of this tragedy. I spoke with Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and early They address and restore the situation, “Mr Saxena posted on X.
There has been an unfortunate and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries as a result of disorder and rush at the New Delhi train station. My deepest participation in the families of victims of this tragedy.
I spoke with Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them for …
– LG Delhi (@ltgovdelhi) February 15, 2025
“CS has been asked to call DDMA measures (disaster management) and implement auxiliary staff. All hospitals are willing to tackle related exegencies. Have CS & CP informed on the site and take control of auxiliary measures.” he added.
Mr. Saxena later changed the post to remove references to losses and a rush.
Minister of Defense Singh wrote: “Destructive news from the New Delhi train station. I am extremely painful due to the loss of lives as a result of Stampede on railway platform (sic). In this hour of sorrow my thoughts are among the relatives. Snel of the injured. “
Destructive news from the New Delhi train station. I am extremely painful due to the loss of lives as a result of Stampede on railway platform. In this hour of sorrow my thoughts are with the affected families. Pray for the speed of the injured.
– Rajnath Singh (@Rajnathsingh) February 15, 2025
Videos showed a huge crowd on the platform when a train entered. Officials said there was a hurry to board the train and panic when passengers realized that not all would be able to come in. In the videos, at least two people were also seen unconscious while others tried to resuscitate. There were also reports of making pushing by crowds in the vicinity of escalators.
“When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present. The Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (who both passed by Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14,” said said A police officer.
PM Modi has caused the loss of Life, on X: “Distressed by the Stampede at the New Delhi train station. My thoughts are for everyone who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the wounded have a quick recovery. The authorities help with all They are affected by this rush.
Dired by the Stampede at the New Delhi train station. My thoughts are with everyone who has lost their loved ones. I pray that the wounded have a quick recovery. The authorities help all those who have been hit by this rush.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Rush or devoted
Special trains for the Maha Kumbh are witnesses of increasingly larger crowds with the festival, which is only held once every 12 years, ended on 26 February. Earlier this week, some passengers broke the glass windows of the Watantrata Senani Express at the Madhubani train station – which goes via Prayagraj to Delhi – after they were unable to board the train.
Similar incidents with regard to trains on their way to Prayagraj have also been reported from other train stations in Bihar and police cases have been registered.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Aishi attacked the center over the chaos at the New Delhi train station. Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav insisted on the center to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh to illuminate the stream of devoted who hope to take a dip at the Sangam.
“Even now many people want to go to Maha Kumbh, but that is not possible. In such a situation, the government should extend the time limit of Maha Kumbh,” Yadav said, pointing that the Maha Kumbh lasted 75 days earlier, but ends this time. The last day of the Maha Kumbh, 26 February, is Maha Shivratri.
