3 children among 15 dead in stampede at New Delhi railway station; high-level probe ordered
Aditi Tandon and Ujwal Jalali
At least 15 people, including three children, were killed in a stampede at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday evening after a sudden surge of people bound for Prayagraj Mahakumbh stormed the platforms where Prayagraj bound trains were parked.
"Fifteen people, including three children, lost their lives, while ten others were injured in the incident that occurred at the New Delhi railway station," Chief Casualty Medical Officer, LNJP (Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain) hospital, told reporters.
A high-level probe was also ordered by the government to look into the tragic incident.
LG edits tweet, deletes reference to casualties
Nearly an hour after tweeting condolences to families who lost their lives in the New Delhi railway station stampede, Delhi LG VK Saxena edited his post to delete references to casualties.
His edited post read: "There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station.
"Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation. CS has been asked to deploy relief personnel.
"Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures. I am constantly monitoring operations."
There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station.
Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation.
CS has been asked to deploy relief personnel.
Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of…
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) February 15, 2025
Saxena's confirmation of deaths came minutes after the Railways sought to deny there was a stampede, with some officials even saying there was no stampede.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled the loss of lives.
The incident took place around 9 pm when two special trains got delayed and a massive rush of people caused chaos at platform numbers 14, 15 and 16.
A senior Fire Department official, told The Tribune that they received a call at 9.55 pm from the New Delhi Railway station regarding a stampede-like situation at platform no umbers 14, 15 and 16, following which 4 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
"At least 14-15 people facing breathlessness were rushed to hospital," a senior Delhi Fire Service official said, adding that some people probably succumbed to their injuries midway.
The Northern Railways, meanwhile, denied any stampede-like situation and termed it as a rumour.
"There is no stampede (at New Delhi Railway Station). It is only a rumour. Northern Railways was running two planned special trains (for Prayagraj)," the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northern Railways said in a statement.
The Railways said the situation was under control and the Delhi police and RPF had reached the spot and passengers were being evacuated.
Delhi LG VK Saxena informed through social media that there has been loss of lives in the incident, however, the exact figure of casualties was yet to be revealed.
"There has been an unfortunate and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries due to disorder & stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My deepest condolences to the families of victims of this tragedy," the LG posted on X.
The LG spoke to the Chief Secretary and Delhi Police Commissioner and asked them to address and redress the situation.
"CS has been asked to invoke DDMA measures & deploy relief personnel. All hospitals are in readiness to address related exigencies. Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures. I am constantly monitoring operations," said Saxena.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the incident occurred when the people on the overbridge started running towards the platform when a train was arriving at the station.
The rush of people was so large that the people who had even confirmed tickets were unable to board the trains.
According to a rough estimate, over 50,000 people had reached the New Delhi railway station to go to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh.
"I wanted to go to Prayagraj and I had confirmed a seat but the moment I reached Platform No. 16, there was utter chaos following which I ran back out of the station," a commuter, Ashok Kumar, said.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the stampede and tweeted "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."
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
Rajnath Singh took to X to express his condolences over the tragic incident. " 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 said.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva reached the LNJP hospital to meet the affected families.
