LIVE | 18 dead in Delhi stampede; railway station remains overcrowded amid heavy rush
Swell in crowd of passengers waiting to board trains to Prayagraj ends in stampede; Railways wakes up after tragedy and arranges additional special trains
At least 18 people, mostly women and children, were killed and more than a dozen injured after a stampede broke out at the New Delhi Railway Station late on Saturday (February 15) night.
The stampede was preceded by a swell in the crowd of passengers waiting to board trains to Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is underway — on platform numbers 14 and 15.
Acting Chief Minister Atishi told reporters that 15 people had been brought dead at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi. Almost 15 people were injured and they were undergoing treatment, she said.
The death toll later rose to 18. Five of them are children. The Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased.
Also read: Kumbh stampede: A deadly cocktail of ‘VIP culture’ and mismanagement
What caused stampede?
The incident comes days after a stampede claimed at least 40 lives at the Kumbh fair grounds itself.
The New Delhi station stampede broke out around 9.55 pm on Saturday. Eyewitnesses said a huge rush at the station led to the stampede, with several passengers fainting because of suffocation.
In an official statement, the deputy commissioner of police (railway) said platform number 14 was already very crowded when the Prayagraj Express train was waiting there for departure.
Swatantra 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 officer explained.
“According to CMI, every hour, 1,500 general tickets were sold by the railways, due to which the station got overcrowded and became uncontrollable. There was a stampede at platform no. 14 and near escalator near platform no. 16,” the DCP said.
A woman, who fell unconscious on a train, being rescued at the New Delhi railway station, late on Saturday | PTI
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Live Updates
- 16 Feb 2025 8:20 AM IST
LG’s edited post on deaths
In his original post on X, Saxena grieved the deaths, but later edited it, removing the bits where he mentioned the casualties.
Saxena said there was an “unfortunate and tragic” incident of “loss of lives and injuries” due to “disorder and stampede” at the New Delhi Railway Station.
“My deepest condolences to the families of victims of this tragedy.” However, after about 15 minutes, Saxena edited his post to delete the reference to deaths.
Rajnath ‘pained by deaths’
Defence Minister Rajnath also said in a post on X that he was pained by the deaths.
“Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured,” he wrote.
- 16 Feb 2025 8:19 AM IST
Railway Board, LG Saxena statements
The Railway Board later issued a press statement, according to which, an unprecedented rush situation developed on Saturday at approximately 9.30 pm at the station’s 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,” the statement read.
Delhi LG VK Saxena visited those injured in the stampede late Saturday at LNJP hospital and instructed officers for relief measures.
In a post on X, he said the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner have been asked to address the situation and deploy relief personnel.
“All hospitals are in readiness to address related exigencies. Have instructed CS and CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures,” Saxena said.
- 16 Feb 2025 8:19 AM IST
Delhi stampede: Extra trains being conidered
Railway Board’s Information and Publicity executive Dilip Kumar told PTI, “So far, four special trains have been released for passenger convenience, and more are being considered. Arrangements are being made for additional special trains.”
He also told PTI that no trains had been cancelled as reported in a section of the media. “There was a huge weekend rush of passengers on the platforms,” he said.
“The actual reason will be ascertained only after going through the CCTV footage. However, what we have come to know is that some people pushed each other, causing mild injuries to some. They have been taken to hospitals,” Kumar said, dismissing reports of any fatalities.
