NEW DELHI, India — A tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station late Saturday night left at least 18 people dead, including 14 women, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Many of the victims were Hindu pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, northern India, said Delhi’s caretaker chief minister, Atishi.
The stampede occurred when thousands of passengers crowded the railway station, waiting to board their trains. Authorities said the chaos erupted after some passengers slipped and fell while descending from a footbridge connecting the platforms, triggering a chain reaction.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion. Sheela Devi, who came to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital to collect her daughter-in-law’s body, said an announcement about a platform change led to chaos among travelers. “The crowd went out of control, and no one could manage it,” said Nikhil Kumar, a shopkeeper who witnessed the surge.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating he was “distressed by the stampede.” He added, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all necessary assistance.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the tragedy.
The incident comes just weeks after a separate stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, underscoring concerns over crowd control at major religious and public gatherings in India.
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