New Delhi: At least 18 people died and more than a dozen were injured in a stampede at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night (February 15).
While the cause of the stampede remains unknown, Delhi fire services chief Atul Garg said that according to initial reports, the cancellation of two trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh led to large crowds and chaos on two platforms. The stampede in Delhi comes shortly after 30 people died in a stampede at ongoing mela in Prayagraj on January 29.
The Delhi police released a list of the 18 deceased on Sunday (February 16) morning.
The police has launched an investigation into the incident and said that it will examine the CCTV footage from the platforms to determine the cause of the stampede.
The official statement of the Indian Railways only referred to rumours that led to a “stampede-like situation” and omitted the mention of deaths.
“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.”
Distress calls received at 9:55 pm
According to the Indian Express, the fire department first received distress calls about a stampede around 9:55 pm. Four fire tenders were rushed to platforms 14 and 15 at the time.
The injured were taken to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital.
K.P.S Malhotra,DCP, Railways, said, “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.”
What the government has said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X acknowledged the deaths and said, “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 railways minister Ashwini Vaishnav in a series of posts on X said that the “situation was under control” and four special trains had been run to dissipate the crowd at the station. He also announced a “high-level” inquiry into the incident.
The Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the stampede. Those seriously injured will receive Rs 2.5 lakh and those with minor injuries 1 lakh.
New Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena initially acknowledged the stampede deaths in a statement on X but later edited his post to remove any mention of them.
Delhi LG post that said there is loss of life at the railway station stampede has been edited and doesn’t say loss of life anymore. pic.twitter.com/AcwOPwF3vC
— Soham سوہم (@SohamShah07) February 15, 2025
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to X to condole the deaths. “Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the platform,” he wrote on X.