The Kumbh Mela-related stampede that broke out at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 night has claimed 18 lives so far, as per official estimates available till this morning. The stampede was caused by a huge number of people jostling for trains headed for Prayagraj, the site of the mega-pilgrimage.
Coming soon after the Shahi Snan stampede on January 29 at Prayagraj itself, which killed at least 30 people, the total official number of stampede deaths connected to Kumbh Mela has now risen to 48.
This year’s Kumbh Mela has been drawing particularly large crowds, as it is called “Maha Kumbh” — an occasion that comes only once in 144 years, covering 12 times the 12-year cycle of Kumbh Mela.
Quoting official sources, Press Trust of India reported that Delhi Police had launched an investigation into the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, saying that they would be scanning the CCTV footage from the spot to know what transpired before the chaos erupted.
More than a dozen were also injured in the stampede that broke out late on Saturday night at the railway station, officials said.
The stampede was preceded by a swell in the crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj on Platforms 14 and 15 of New Delhi Railway Station.
The stampede broke out around 9.55pm, prompting an emergency response from authorities. Authorities dispatched rescue teams and four fire tenders to the site, Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg said.
Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi earlier told reporters that 15 people had been brought dead at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi. Heavy police deployment has been ordered outside LNJP Hospital.
There were 14 women among the deceased. Five of the total casualties were minors, two of them below the age of 10.
According to official sources, wrong announcement about change of platforms may have created a confusion that led to the stampede.
Eyewitnesses said that a huge rush at the station led to the stampede, with several fainting because of suffocation.
In an official statement, the deputy commissioner of police (railway) said that Platform 14 was already very crowded when Prayagraj Express was waiting there for its departure.
The officer said that Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on Platforms 12, 13 and 14.
“As per CMI, every hour 1,500 general tickets were sold by railways due to which the station got overcrowded and became uncontrollable. There was a stampede at Platform No. 14 and near [the] escalator near Platform No. 16,” the DCP said.
Night of bereavement for many passengers
One of the victims told reporters that his mother had died in the stampede. He said, “We were travelling to our home in Chhapra, Bihar, in a group, but my mother died in the chaos. People were pushing each other.” He added, “The doctor has confirmed to us that my mother has died.”
Another family member of a deceased victim, a woman, collapsed in grief.
Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay initially told PTI that passengers had pushed each other, which caused injuries to some of them. They were taken to hospitals for first aid, he said.
One of the passengers, Dharmendra Singh, said, “I was going to Prayagraj, but many trains were running late or were cancelled. The station was overcrowded. There were far more people than I have ever seen at this station. In front of me, six or seven women were taken away on stretchers.”
Another passenger, Pramod Chaurasia, said, “I had a sleeper-class ticket for Purushottam Express, but even those with confirmed tickets could not board the train. One of my friends and a female passenger got stuck in the crowd. There was too much pushing and jostling. We managed to stay safe by waiting outside with our children.”
Before the deaths were confirmed, Railway Board Information and Publicity executive Dilip Kumar told PTI that a “stampede-like” situation had occurred due to a large footfall and several people had collapsed.
“So far, four special trains have been released for passenger convenience, and more are being considered. Arrangements are being made for additional special trains,” he said.
Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh express grief
An X post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi grieved the deaths. “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 said.
Defence Minister Rajnath posted on X: “Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured.” Delhi LG VK Saxena expressed his grief in a post on X, but later edited it, removing the parts where he mentioned the casualties.
In his original post, Saxena said there was an “unfortunate and tragic” incident of “loss of lives and injuries” due to “disorder and stampede” at the New Delhi Railway Station. “My deepest condolences to the families of victims of this tragedy.” However, after about 15 minutes, Saxena edited his post to delete the reference to deaths. No explanation was given.
