New Delhi – A tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night resulted in the death of at least 18 people, including three children, while 10 others sustained injuries. The incident occurred on platforms 14 and 15, reportedly due to extreme overcrowding.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with passengers struggling to breathe in the packed area. Many fainted due to suffocation and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) confirmed that the congestion intensified when a large crowd gathered on platform 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed.
The situation worsened as passengers from two other delayed trains, the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, also occupied platforms 12, 13, and 14. According to officials, railway ticket counters were selling an estimated 1,500 general tickets per hour, leading to a dangerous surge in crowd density. Around 9:55 PM, a stampede broke out near the escalator on platform 16, further exacerbating the crisis.
Emergency Response and Investigation
As soon as the situation escalated, rescue teams were dispatched, and four fire tenders were sent to assist in relief operations, stated Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Chief Atul Garg. Initial reports suggest that the overwhelming rush of travelers heading to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj contributed to the uncontrollable crowd surge.
Northern Railway CPRO Himanshu Upadhyay confirmed that the excessive crowd movement led to passengers pushing each other, resulting in injuries. Authorities promptly transferred the injured to hospitals for medical care.
Government’s Response
Following the tragic incident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the public via social media platform X, assuring that the situation was under control. He further stated that Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel had been deployed at the station to manage the crowd and prevent further mishaps.
To ease congestion and accommodate the heavy passenger flow, the railways have introduced special trains to handle the unexpected rush. Authorities are also conducting an inquiry into the incident to assess the causes of overcrowding and potential lapses in crowd management.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for better crowd control measures and enhanced passenger safety protocols at major railway stations, especially during high-demand travel periods like festivals and religious gatherings.
