Maha Kumbh Rush Horror: A tragic incident took place at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. Due to the delay of two trains, a huge crowd of passengers going to Maha Kumbh gathered on platforms 14 and 15. There was a sudden stampede in which 15 people, including 10 women, three children and two men, lost their lives. The Chief Casualty Medical Officer of LNJP Hospital, Delhi, confirmed this.
What happened?
At around 8 pm, passengers were waiting for trains going to Prayagraj. Two trains were late, which increased the crowd on the platform. The crowd was so much that the passengers were also having difficulty breathing. When a train arrived, the passengers became impatient to board it, and a stampede broke out.
Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS)
Delhi Police and RPF reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush.— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025
Government response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the situation is under control,l and Delhi Police and RPF have reached the spot. He wrote on Twitter that the injured had been taken to the hospital and that special trains were being run to clear the sudden rush. Railways have ordered an inquiry and urged people not to pheedrumours.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the loss of lives. However, initially, Mr Saxena called it a stampede but later changed his post.
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…
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) February 15, 2025
Reason for the rush:
The Maha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to end on February 26, and due to this, there is a massive rush of passengers in trains going to Prayagraj. Earlier this week, passengers at Madhubani railway station in Bihar also broke the windows of the Swatantrata Senani Express as they could not board the train. Such cases have also been reported from many other railway stations in Bihar.
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.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 15, 2025
Political rhetoric:
Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has blamed the central government for the incident. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has urged the central government to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh to reduce the passenger rush. He said that earlier, the Maha Kumbh used to last for 75 days, but this time, it ended early.
Horrific scene seen in the video:
A huge crowd is seen on the platform in the video viral on social media. Some people can also be seen lying unconscious, whom others are trying to lift. There are also reports of jostling due to the crowd near the escalator.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Police statement:
A police officer said that when the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both pass through Prayagraj) were late, and passengers on platforms 12, 13, and 14 were present.