Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: At Least 16 Killed, High-Level Inquiry Ordered
New Delhi, February 16, 2025 – An unfortunate incident that took place on a Saturday night at New-Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) ended up killing 16 lives along with a number of others being severely injured. This heart-breaking stampede took place when a huge number of passengers all tried to board three Praygraj trains that were headed towards the Maha Kumbh.
What Led to the Stampede?
Officials reported that a massive crowd built up at platform number 14, where the Prayagraj Express was scheduled to depart. Additionally, two of the other trains that were also bound to Prayaygraj, the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, were both running very late and even further adding to the crowd on platforms 12, 13 and 14.
The railway protection force (RPF) and Delhi police swiftly made their way to the incident as soon as the chaos began. As stated by the authorities, the situation grew out of control because people who worked for the railway systems had closed one staircase each on platforms 14 and 15, this left them with no choice but to control the mob. This made matters a lot worse when all of a sudden a large amount of people started trying to pour in, resulting in an overflow of people on the staircases, which leaves with absolutely no alternative but stampedes.
KPS Malhotra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways), said that there were two separate stampede incidents—one at platform 14 and another near the escalator at platform 1.
Rescue and Response
Rescue teams swiftly responded, transporting the injured to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital (LNJP). Hospital officials confirmed 15 deaths, including two children, 11 women, and two men. Authorities have launched special trains to clear the crowd and prevent further incidents.
Government’s Reaction
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the situation is under control and announced a high-level inquiry into the tragedy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed deep sorrow and stated that the entire team is working to assist affected families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his condolences on X, saying:
“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.”
High-level inquiry ordered https://t.co/Egaifp5Onx
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Eyewitness Accounts and Safety Concerns
Survivors described a chaotic scene, with people pushing to board the train while others struggled to move. Officials stated that the delayed departures and blocked staircases contributed to the tragedy. Passengers suffocated in the densely packed crowd, while others fell and were trampled.
Authorities are now reviewing crowd management strategies at major railway stations to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Conclusion
This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for better crowd control measures and improved railway infrastructure. With the Maha Kumbh drawing massive crowds, railway officials must ensure safe travel conditions to prevent further tragedies.
