On Saturday, February 15, a stampede at a railway station in New Delhi, India, caused the death of at least 18 people. Reportedly, many people at the station were heading to a religious festival in Prayagraj city. Among the dead are 14 women and even a seven-year-old child, according to NBC News. NDTV, however, reports that five children were killed.
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According to the chief minister of the national capital territory Atishi, many pilgrims were to attend the Hindu Maha Kumbh festival. The Associated Press reported that, according to a woman named Sheela Devi, who unfortunately had to collect her daughter-in-law's body, the incident happened when an announcement at the railway station had people switch platforms, leading to the stampede.
"There was a sea of humanity at the railway station, and the crowd surged towards the train going to Prayagraj," a woman told local India Today, reported by NBC News. "I lost my belongings and barely survived."
As people were heading to their new railway station platforms, many began sleeping and falling off a footbridge. This resulted in many falling on top of others, causing the death of at least 18 and injuring dozens more who are being treated at local hospitals.
Authorities Address Stampede
Atishi took to X to address the stampede and confirm that the injured were receiving treatment.
"The tragic death of devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heartbreaking," Atishi wrote on X. "LNJP reached the hospital and met the families of the victims. Many people are also injured, whose treatment is going on. Two of our MLAs are present in the hospital to help the victim families."
"My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident," Atishi concluded. "May God give everyone the strength to bear this sorrow."
Similarly, Ashwini Viashnaw, Railway Minister, also confirmed that the injured were taken to the hospital. Vaishnaw also confirmed that the situation was "under control" by Delhi police and RPF. "Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush," Viashnaw wrote on X.
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, also addressed the tragic railway station stampede 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," Modi wrote. "The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede."
