Chaos At New Delhi Railway Station Leaves 18 Dead Amid Maha Kumbh Rush
At least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, died on Saturday night at New Delhi Railway Station after overcrowding led to a deadly rush on platforms 14 and 15. The incident occurred around 8 pm when two trains bound for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj were delayed, triggering panic among passengers.
Officials confirmed the deaths at Delhi’s LNJP Hospital, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that the situation is now under control. “Delhi Police and RPF have reached the station. Injured have been taken to the hospital. Special trains are being run to evacuate the sudden rush,” he posted on X. Authorities also urged people not to believe rumours of a stampede.
Videos from the scene showed passengers frantically trying to board an incoming train, with some collapsing on the platform. Witnesses reported jostling near escalators and overcrowding as devotees attempted to secure a spot on the Prayagraj-bound Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, both of which were delayed.
“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the incident.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initially referred to the incident as a stampede and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. However, Mr Saxena later revised his statement, removing references to fatalities. “CS has been asked to invoke disaster management measures and deploy relief personnel. All hospitals are on alert,” he stated.
The rush at railway stations has been escalating as the Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, nears its conclusion on 26 February. Similar crowd-related incidents have been reported from Bihar’s Madhubani railway station, where passengers broke train windows in frustration over being unable to board.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticised the Centre for failing to manage the crowd, while Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav called for an extension of the Maha Kumbh to ease congestion. “Many devotees still want to go but cannot. The festival lasted 75 days before, but this time it is ending too soon,” he remarked.
Authorities have deployed additional security at major railway stations to prevent further incidents as the festival’s final day, Maha Shivratri, approaches.
