Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 18 Lives, Injures Dozens; Probe Ordered

What Led to the Stampede?

The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station was triggered by sudden platform change announcements, overcrowding due to delayed and special trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela. Blocked staircases and limited facilities on platforms worsened the situation, leaving passengers with little room to move. The absence of structured crowd management, timely announcements, and proper infrastructure contributed to the chaos, leading to the tragic loss of lives.

According to officials, the stampede was triggered by a combination of factors, including the cancellation of two Prayagraj-bound trains—Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani—and the delay of others. This led to an unprecedented rush on platforms 12, 13, 14, and 16. Passengers from multiple trains crowded the platforms and staircases, creating a chaotic situation.

Eyewitnesses reported that railway officials had blocked one staircase each on platforms 14 and 15 to control the crowd. However, as the crowd swelled, passengers began pushing each other, leading to people falling and suffocating. “The pushing led to many people falling, and others suffocated as the crowd kept swelling,” an anonymous official said.

Rescue and Relief Efforts

As soon as reports of the stampede surfaced, Delhi Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene. Four fire tenders were deployed, and ambulances transported the injured to Lady Hardinge Medical College and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also reached the station to assist in relief operations. Railway Board officials confirmed that several passengers had lost consciousness due to overcrowding, and multiple fatalities were feared even before rescue operations began. By early Sunday morning, authorities confirmed that 18 people had died, and over a dozen were being treated for injuries.

Reactions and Government Response

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the situation was under control and that special trains were being run to manage the unexpected rush. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed that compensation would be provided to those affected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media, stating, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The authorities are assisting all those affected by this tragedy.”

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena called the incident “unfortunate and tragic” and confirmed that the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner were overseeing relief efforts. “All hospitals are in readiness to address related exigencies. A high-level probe has been ordered,” he stated.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed grief, offering prayers for the deceased and urging authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur. Home Minister Amit Shah assured that all possible assistance was being provided to the victims’ families and those injured.

नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर भगदड़ से चंद मिनट पहले का वीडियो…#stampede | #newdelhirailwaystation | #newdelhi | #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/bP2Jje53In
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 16, 2025

Survivors and Eyewitness Accounts

Survivors and eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the stampede. Ved Gupta, a passenger who escaped unhurt, said, “There was a huge crowd at platform number 14. It was a very bad scene. I somehow escaped.” Another passenger, whose mother died in the stampede, lamented the lack of police presence during the chaos.

Railway porters and vendors described the scene as unprecedented. “I had never witnessed such a crowd before,” said Ravi Kumar, a railway vendor. Porters recalled carrying bodies on handcarts, highlighting the grim aftermath of the tragedy.

Normalcy Restored, But Questions Remain

By Sunday morning, operations at the New Delhi Railway Station had returned to normal. Trains resumed their scheduled departures, and authorities cleared the platforms. However, for the families who lost their loved ones, the pain remains immeasurable.

While an official probe is underway, the incident has once again highlighted the need for robust crowd management at major railway stations, especially during peak travel seasons and religious gatherings.