18 killed in Delhi Railway Station stampede

At least 18 people, including 11 women and four children, were killed and 15 others were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station in India on Saturday (February 15) night as massive crowds gathered to board trains for the ongoing Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj.

The incident occurred around 9:55 pm on platforms 14 and 15, where passengers scrambled to catch trains for one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

In a statement, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an inquiry and dispatched four special trains to alleviate the crowding at the station.

The deputy commissioner of police (railway) said many people were present on platform number 14 when the Prayagraj Express train stood at the platform. The Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platform numbers 12, 13 and 14, the official said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed their thoughts to the affected families.

“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,” he posted on X.

(With inputs from NDTV, Hindustan Times)