On the night of February 15, 2025, a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and left 15 others injured. The majority of the victims were women, and a 7-year-old child was also among the deceased. The incident occurred around 8:00 PM local time, as thousands of passengers were attempting to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival.
Incident Details:
The stampede was triggered by an announcement regarding a change in train platforms, leading to confusion among passengers. As people rushed to the new platform, the crowd became uncontrollable, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Eyewitnesses reported that individuals slipped and fell on the footbridge connecting the platforms, causing a domino effect that led to numerous casualties.
Victims and Injuries:
Among the deceased, 14 were women, and a 7-year-old child was also reported dead. The injured were promptly transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have confirmed that the situation is now under control, and efforts are underway to assist the affected families.
Official Responses:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families. He stated, “I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the stampede and to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigation and Findings:
Preliminary investigations suggest that the confusion arose due to the announcement of the ‘Prayagraj Special’ arriving at Platform 16, which led passengers to believe that their train was arriving at a different platform. This misunderstanding caused a surge of people moving towards Platform 16, resulting in the stampede. Delhi Police sources have indicated that the similarity in train names contributed to the confusion.
Compensation and Support:
In response to the tragedy, the Railway Ministry has announced an ex-gratia payment to the families of the deceased and the injured. The exact amount of compensation is yet to be disclosed, but authorities have assured that all necessary support will be provided to the affected individuals.
