What Led To the New Delhi Railway Station Stampede That Killed 18?

A tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday night claimed at least 18 lives and left over a dozen injured. The chaos unfolded as a massive surge of passengers, heading to the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, crowded the station.

What Led to the Stampede?

The stampede occurred on platform numbers 14 and 15, where a growing crowd of travelers gathered to board trains to Prayagraj. The situation escalated when passengers began pushing forward, triggering panic and suffocation among those trapped in the congestion. According to Officials, the stampede was triggered after railway authorities blocked one staircase each on Platforms 14 and 15 to manage the crowd.

However, as train delays persisted, more passengers gathered on the staircases, leading to overcrowding. The staircases became packed with people pushing in both directions-some trying to reach the trains, while others attempted to move away. "The continuous pushing caused several people to fall, resulting in the stampede. Many others suffocated as the crowd kept growing on the platform," said an official familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In response, the railway ministry has ordered a high-level probe into the incident.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with people collapsing due to suffocation. An official statement from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) revealed that platform 14 was already heavily crowded when the Prayagraj Express was stationed for departure.

Adding to the congestion, delays in the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express resulted in a buildup of passengers across platforms 12, 13, and 14.

Unprecedented Overcrowding

Authorities confirmed that approximately 1,500 general tickets were being sold per hour, leading to an overwhelming surge of commuters. "The stampede occurred at platform number 14 and near the escalator on platform number 16," the DCP stated. The stampede occurred around 9:55 PM, prompting immediate emergency response efforts.

A victim's son recounted his loss, saying, "We were traveling to Chhapra, Bihar, but my mother lost her life in the chaos. People were pushing each other. The doctor confirmed that she didn't survive."

A grief-stricken family member of another victim collapsed in sorrow as rescue teams and four fire tenders rushed to the site, according to Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Chief Atul Garg.

Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay stated that the crowd surge led to injuries and that the injured were transported to hospitals for medical assistance.

Acting Chief Minister Atishi reported that 15 deceased individuals were brought to LNJP Hospital, with all but two identified. Nearly 15 others were injured and remain under treatment.

PM Modi and Leaders Express Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief in a post on X, stating, "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing necessary assistance to those affected."

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also posted about the tragedy, initially mentioning "loss of lives and injuries" due to the stampede. However, his post was later edited to remove references to fatalities, without any official explanation.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, ensuring necessary measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.