At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday evening. From the initial 15 persons feared to be dead, the toll rose to 18 as of Sunday morning.
Delhi police released a list of the 18 deceased on Sunday morning. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and officials said that they will be scanning the CCTV footage from the spot to know what transpired before the chaos erupted.
On Saturday, officials from the fire department said distress calls about a stampede on platforms 14 and 15 were first received around 9:55 pm and four fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
The injured were taken to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital, where a senior official told The Indian Express that 15 people had died.
The Railways on Sunday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the stampede. Further, those seriously injured will get Rs 2.5 lakh and those with minor injuries 1 lakh, it said.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “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.”
Manoj Shah, who lost his daughter, father-in-law and mother-in-law in the stampede, said, “My brother-in-law Mukesh called me and said ‘bhagdad ho gayi, log ek dusre par chad gaye (there has been a stampede)’.” The deceased were heading to Kumbh, he said, adding that his daughter studied in class 5.
Scenes from the station (Express photos by Gajendra Yadav)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, “Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the platform.”
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told The Indian Express that the “situation is under control.”
“Delhi police and RPF have reached and the injured have been taken to the hospital. Four special trains are being run to evacuate the sudden rush. The rush has reduced now. I am in the war room,” he said.
In an official statement, the Railways said, “An unprecedented rush situation developed today at approximately 9:30 pm at New Delhi Railway Station near platforms 13 and 14. Due to the sudden surge in passengers, some individuals fainted, which led to rumours of a stampede-like situation, causing panic among travellers. The situation was later brought under control by easing the congestion.”
“The fainted and injured passengers were immediately taken to nearby hospitals by the Railway Protection Force and Delhi Police,” it said, adding that a high-level inquiry has been ordered.
Rescue personnel at the New Delhi Railway Station (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)
DCP, Railways, KPS Malhotra elaborated, “When Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, a lot of people had gathered… 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.”
In a post on X, the Congress said the “news of the death of many devotees going to Maha Kumbh is extremely painful.”
It said the “Modi government should hand over the bodies of the deceased to their families and make arrangements to send them to their homes.” It also asked: “If the government knew that Maha Kumbh was going on, then why were more trains not run during that time?” and “Why were no arrangements made to control the crowd at the railway station?”
Last photo of Poonam along with her grandson at the railway station. Her son in law Pappu showed it on his phone while he sat outside the emergency ward (Express Photo: Sakshi Chand)
Delhi’s outgoing Chief Minister, Atishi, posted on X, “Such an incident involving devotees going for Maha Kumbh is very sad. Neither the central government nor the UP government is concerned about the safety of the people.”
At the Lok Nayak Hospital, where the injured were taken, police deployment was increased around midnight and access to the morgue was limited.
Around midnight, the railway station bore testimony to the chaos from hours earlier as the belongings of the injured were kept in piles in a corner. These included footwear, bottles, belts, bags and shirts.
Gurgaon resident Kamlesh Kumari (24), who was supposed to head to Jhansi, recalled, “I was on the stairs, and everyone just started falling on each other. I don’t know what happened.” She said she hurt her back and lost her bag containing cash in the commotion.
Aman Giri, 22, who lost his mother Seelam in the stampede, said the family was going to catch a train to the Kumbh Mela. “Maine mana kiya tha mat jao (I told her not to go,)” he told The Indian Express. His father suffered a leg injury.
“My mother was a bit heavy so she couldn’t climb up as everyone ran towards the stairs to escape the stampede,” he said.
New Delhi Railway Station stampede: The injured were taken to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital, where a senior official told The Indian Express that 15 people had died.(Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav) 
Scenes from the station (Express photos by Gajendra Yadav)
Rescue personnel at the New Delhi Railway Station (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)
Last photo of Poonam along with her grandson at the railway station. Her son in law Pappu showed it on his phone while he sat outside the emergency ward (Express Photo: Sakshi Chand)
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