Crowds at New Delhi’s main railway station Photo: dpa
At least 15 people were killed and 15 others were injured in a stampede that took place on Saturday evening at New Delhi’s main railway station. This was announced by the Minister of the Territorial Administration of the Indian capital, Reuters reports.
The incident occurred at around 20:00 local time (14:30 GMT) on two platforms of the station as the crowd waited to board trains to the city of Prayagraj. The crowded Hindu festival of Maha Kumbh is taking place there. Among the victims are 10 women and three children, according to local press reports.
Witnesses said that after the tragedy, panic reigned at the station, and law enforcement and rescue services tried to resolve the situation. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi noted that many of the dead were pilgrims on their way to a religious festival.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other high-ranking officials confirmed the tragedy in their social media posts. “Shocked by the tragedy at New Delhi railway station. My thoughts are with the families of the victims,” Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said he had held talks with the head of the Ministry of Railways about the situation. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, four additional special trains have been arranged to evacuate people from the crowded station. He assured that the situation is now under control.
This tragedy was another case of large-scale railway incidents in India. Last month, dozens of people died during a stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival. In 2023, the country suffered one of the most serious railway accidents – a train collision that killed at least 288 people. India has the fourth largest railway network in the world, and is currently undergoing a $30 billion modernisation programme as part of government initiatives to improve transport connectivity.
