Tragic Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 18 Lives: Multiple Theories Emerge on What Triggered the Chaos

A devastating stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night has claimed the lives of at least 18 people and left several others injured. While Indian Railways has launched a formal inquiry into the incident, various theories are emerging as to what may have triggered the deadly chaos.

The stampede occurred on platforms 14 and 15, where two prominent trains—the Patna-bound Magadh Express and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express—were stationed. According to Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Upadhyay, the disaster unfolded when a group of passengers descending from the foot-over bridge lost their footing on the stairs. This caused a chain reaction, with people slipping and falling on one another in the midst of the crowd.

However, another theory has been suggested by a Delhi police official. According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the stampede may have been triggered by confusion among passengers regarding two similarly-named trains—the Prayagraj Express and the Prayagraj Special. It is believed that an announcement about the Prayagraj Special arriving at Platform 16 caused confusion, as the Prayagraj Express was already stationed at Platform 14. In a panic, passengers fearing they would miss their trains rushed toward the wrong platform, sparking the stampede.

“As of now, Prayagraj Special will run from platform number 16, and then Vande Bharat will run. Let the railways manage that show, we will do our work. We have sufficient deployment here. The situation at Platform 16 is normal and under control,” said DCP Railway KPS Malhotra, responding to the incident.

Indian Railways has set up a two-member inquiry committee to probe the causes of the stampede. The committee is composed of Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) of Northern Railway, and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Safety Commissioner (PCSC). The committee is expected to present its findings in the coming days.

Meanwhile, disturbing videos from the scene of the incident have flooded social media, showing thousands of passengers scrambling to board trains. Among the victims were people traveling to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh, with several testimonies recounting harrowing scenes of panic and despair. Tragically, the casualties included 11 women and five children.

This incident follows a similar tragedy that occurred on January 29, 2025, during the Kumbh Mela, when at least 30 people were killed in another stampede. The recurring incidents have raised serious concerns about the preparedness of authorities to manage large crowds, especially those traveling for religious events like the Maha Kumbh.

In the aftermath of the incident, opposition parties have expressed outrage, with Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Left parties demanding the resignation of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The Union Government, however, has announced compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for the families of the deceased.