February 16, 2025, New Delhi — A devastating stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, including 14 women and three children. The incident occurred as thousands of pilgrims gathered to board trains heading to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj. Over a dozen others sustained injuries in the chaos.

Sequence of Events

The stampede unfolded around 9:30 PM on February 15, 2025, primarily affecting platforms 13 and 14. An "unprecedented" surge of passengers, many en route to the Maha Kumbh, led to severe overcrowding. Delays in the departures of the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express exacerbated the situation, causing congestion on adjacent platforms. The sudden influx became unmanageable, leading to panic and the subsequent stampede.

Eyewitness Accounts

Dharmendra Singh, a passenger aiming to reach Prayagraj, recounted the turmoil: "I was going to Prayagraj, but many trains were running late or were canceled. The station was overcrowded. There were far more people than I have ever seen at this station. In front of me, six or seven women were taken away on stretchers." timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Official Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, offering condolences to the victims' families. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a high-level inquiry to ascertain the causes of the stampede and to implement measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. Authorities have since managed to control the situation, deploying special trains to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers.

Implications

The recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved crowd management and infrastructure at major transit hubs, especially during events that draw large numbers of pilgrims. Implementing advanced monitoring systems, increasing coordination among agencies, and enhancing public awareness are critical steps to prevent future occurrences. The findings from the upcoming inquiry will be pivotal in shaping policies to ensure the safety of passengers during such high-demand periods.

India has a history of stampedes, especially during large religious gatherings. In January 2025, dozens lost their lives during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, in January 2022, a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in 12 fatalities. These recurring incidents highlight the challenges in managing massive crowds during significant events. reuters.com

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