New Delhi Railway Station stampede kills at least 18: What we know so far

Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”

Here’s what we know so far about the stampede:

1. 01

   Where is the death toll at?

   The death toll in the overnight stampede at New Delhi railway station climbed to 18 early Sunday, according to the list of deceased released by the Delhi Police.

   More than a dozen people were injured in the stampede on platforms 14 and 15 of the railway station. The injured are undergoing treatment at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital in New Delhi.

2. 02

   What had happened on Saturday at the New Delhi railway station?

   Calling it an “unprecedented rush situation”, the Ministry of Railways said the sudden surge in passengers at around 9:30 pm at New Delhi Railway Station near platforms 13 and 14, which led to rumours of a stampede-like situation, caused panic among the travelers.

   "The situation was later brought under control by easing the congestion," the statement added.

   The panic, however, triggered some individuals to faint, while others got injured, following which they were immediately taken to nearby hospitals by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Delhi Police. "The Railways' medical team is actively assisting hospital doctors in providing necessary medical care,” it said, adding that a high-level inquiry has been ordered.

   Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay said that at the time of incident the Patna-bound Magadh Express was standing at platform number 14 and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was stationed at platform number 15.

   "Some people who were coming down from the footover bridge towards platform numbers 14 and 15 using stairs slipped and fell on others," he said, citing the cause of the stampede.

   Meanwhile, DCP, Railways, KPS Malhotra elaborated, “When Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, lots of people were present… Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani were delayed, and passengers of these trains were also present at platforms 12, 13 and 14. As per our information, 1,500 general tickets were sold, which is why the crowd became uncontrollable. There was a stampede-like situation at platform number 14 and near an escalator near platform number 1.”

   According to the fire officials, four fire tenders were pressed to service after the department received distress calls about a stampede on platforms 14 and 15 around 9.55 pm.

3. 03

   Railway Ministry announces compensation for victims' kin

   The Ministry of Railways early Sunday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased’s families, Rs 2.5 lakh for victims with grievous injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.

4. 04

   Condolences pour in

   President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives and wrote on X, “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured.”

   Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “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.”

   Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw too expressed condolences in a post on X, saying, “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. 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.”

5. 05

   Opposition leaders allege government's 'mismanagement', 'negligence', demand SIT probe

   Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, expressing his condolences for the bereaved families, said that the incident highlights the "failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government."

   He wrote on X: “This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station." "The government and administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence," Gandhi added.

   Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann too attributed the incident to negligence of the Railways Ministry. He said, "This accident is the result of the negligence of the Ministry of Railways. It is a pity that no care is being taken for the precious lives of people in the capital of the country.”

   AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi sought an independent inquiry into the “systemic failures” of the Indian Railways.

   Sharing a post on X, Owaisi wrote: “My deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who died in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede. This was an avoidable tragedy. The BJP government is trying to cover up what happened. This is what needs to be done instead: 1. Appointing an independent, SIT to investigate the tragedy 2. An independent inquiry into the systemic failures of the Indian Railways." He further said Indian Railways is a lifeline for millions of Indians and it does not deserve the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s “mismanagement”.

6. 06

   Delhi Police to analyse CCTV footage from railway station

   Delhi Police Sunday launched a probe into the stampede, saying that it will analyse CCTV footage to understand the sequence of events before the chaos broke out, sources told PTI.

   “Our main target is to investigate the main cause which caused the stampede. We will collect all data of CCTV footage and announcements done during that time,” PTI quoted a police source as saying.

7. 07

   Amit Shah directs Delhi L-G to provide all kinds of assistance

   Union Home Minister Amit Shah, over a post on X, said the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi Police Commissioner have been ordered to provide all possible help to those affected.

   Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena directed the chief secretary to invoke disaster-management measures and deploy relief personnel. He also asked the Delhi Police commissioner to address the situation, and take control of relief measures.

8. 08

   Atishi meets victims at LNJP hospital

   Sharing over a post on X, outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said, “The tragic death of devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heartbreaking. Reached LNJP Hospital and met the bereaved families. Many people are also injured, whose treatment is going on."

   She also said that two of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs are present in the hospital to help the affected families.

9. 09

   2-member high-level committee formed to probe Delhi stampede

   A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter and determine the cause of the stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday, which claimed around 18 lives.

   The committee would include members from the Northern Railways, especially, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and its Principal Chief Commercial Manager.

10. 10

    Congress demands resignation of Railway minister

    The Congress on Sunday demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must resign, and take moral responsibility for the stampede, news agency PTI reported.

    Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said if Vaishnaw does not resign, he should be sacked for the "mismanagement" at the railway station.

    "The Indian Railways and Indians cannot be left in the hands of such a minister. The Railway minister cannot be a person who is busy building his image and terming the death of people as small incidents and one who instead of offering condolences to the people, tries to hide the deaths of people," the Congress leader told the reporters.

    "What happened at New Delhi Railway Station last night is not an accident but a 'massacre'," Shrinate added. 

From the homepage

‘Regime change’ conspiracy behind 2020 riots, Delhi Police tell SC; oppose bail to accused

RJD’s challenge in Siwan: Shahabuddin is dead. Long live Shahabuddin

‘I had money, I paid. What will poor do?’: Retired BPCL CFO’s post on bribery ordeal after daughter’s death goes viral; 2 Bengaluru cops suspended