A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday (February 15) night left at least 18 people dead and several others injured, as massive crowds rushed to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

Videos from the station captured chaotic scenes of passengers pushing and jostling each other on the platforms, with some resorting to climbing through train windows in a desperate attempt to secure a seat.

The stampede occurred around 10 PM on platforms 14 and 15, as a sudden surge of passengers intensified the rush.

Witnesses described the station as being “overcrowded” and filled with panic.

A grieving man, whose mother lost her life in the incident, recounted how people were pushing each other in the scramble to board the trains.

Official Response and Relief Measures

Delhi’s caretaker Chief Minister, Atishi, confirmed the fatalities and extended her condolences to the victims’ families. She visited LNJP Hospital, where the injured were admitted, to assess the situation and offer support.

The hospital’s Chief Casualty Medical Officer reported that among the deceased were three children, while 10 others were receiving treatment for injuries.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also visited the hospital and directed officials to ensure swift relief measures.

In a post on X, he stated that both the Chief Secretary and the Police Commissioner have been instructed to manage the crisis and deploy necessary personnel for assistance.

“There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station. Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation. CS has been asked to deploy relief personnel. Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures,” he said.

Political Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He assured that authorities were providing all necessary support.

“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,” he wrote in a post on X.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the incident deeply saddening, stating, “My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.”

Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari also expressed their grief over the unfortunate loss of lives.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the central government for the incident, demanding greater transparency and accountability in crowd management. He urged authorities to disclose the exact number of casualties and injuries, as well as provide details of any missing persons.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera emphasized the need for improved crowd control measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.

What Led to the Stampede?

According to Hindustan Times, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity at the Railway Board, said that an unexpectedly high number of passengers overwhelmed the station on Saturday, prompting railway authorities to introduce four additional special trains to accommodate the rush.

He also confirmed reports of several people fainting amid the commotion, who were later hospitalized for treatment.

As authorities investigate the incident, concerns over crowd management and safety at railway stations handling large-scale events remain a pressing issue.

With the Maha Kumbh Mela continuing to attract millions, officials face mounting pressure to implement stricter safety measures to prevent further tragedies.