A deadly stampede broke out late Saturday night (February 15) at New Delhi Railway Station, leaving at least 18 people dead, including 11 women and five children, and over a dozen others injured. The tragic incident occurred as a large crowd of passengers scrambled to board trains, many en route to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival.

According to officials, the stampede occurred on platforms 14 and 15, where the Patna-bound Magadh Express and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express were stationed. Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Upadhyay said that the incident was triggered when a group of passengers descending from the foot-over bridge towards the platforms lost their footing on the stairs, causing a chain reaction of people slipping and falling on one another.
As per the Chief Casualty Medical Officer at LNJP Hospital, 11 injured passengers are currently being treated for injuries, many are believed to have been pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh festivities.

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways expressed shock over the incident and announced the formation of a high-level inquiry to investigate the causes of the stampede. "This is a deeply unfortunate incident, and a thorough investigation will be carried out to understand the exact reasons behind this tragedy," the Ministry said. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased families.

One railway official pointed to the congestion caused by delays in train departures, including the Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express, which were also stationed at the station at the time of the incident. The overcrowding worsened due to the sale of approximately 1,500 general tickets, which further strained the already packed platforms, claimed officials.
Videos circulating on social media depicted scenes of chaos, with panicked passengers running and gasping for breath amidst the confusion. Police and railway authorities have launched a detailed probe and are reviewing CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events.
The tragedy comes just weeks after a deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj on January 29, where 30 people lost their lives and many others were injured. The ongoing surge in devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the holy dip has added immense pressure on the railways and the station's infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via Twitter, stating, "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."
Opposition leaders also reacted to the tragedy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the government and said in a tweet, "The news of several people dying and many getting injured due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and distressing. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence."
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the incident, writing on social media, "The tragic death of devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is unfortunate and painful. May God give peace to their souls. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the accident."
The railway station, one of the busiest in the country, has long struggled with overcrowding, and the latest tragedy has once again highlighted concerns about passenger safety, particularly during peak travel periods such as the Kumbh Mela, even after India Railways claiming to have started several special trains owing to the Maha Kumbh fervour.