Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station claims 18 lives, dozens injured

The death toll from the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station rose to 18 on Sunday, with several others injured. Among the victims were nine people from Bihar, eight from Delhi and one from Haryana.

The incident occurred on platforms 14 and 15, where a large crowd had gathered to board trains bound for Prayagraj, the site of the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

Hospitals and police officials confirmed that 18 people had died, including 14 women and five minors—two of whom were under 10 years old. Several other passengers sustained injuries, some in critical condition. Among the victims, nine were from Bihar, eight from Delhi, and one from Haryana.

The deceased included five children: seven-year-old Riya Singh from Delhi, eight-year-old Pooja Kumar from Nawada in Bihar, twelve-year-old Neeraj from Vaishali, eleven-year-old Suruchi from Muzaffarpur, and fifteen-year-old Vijay Sah from Samastipur.

Several women also lost their lives in the tragedy. Among them were Baby Kumari, a 24-year-old from Bijwasan, Delhi, and Sangeeta Malik, a 34-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana. Poonam, 34, from Mahavir Enclave, and Lalita Devi, 35, from Parana, Bihar, were also among the victims. Others included 40-year-olds Poonam Devi from Saran, Mamta Jha from Nangloi, Krishna Devi from Samastipur, Shanti Devi from Nawada, and Pinky Devi from Sangam Vihar. Sheela Devi, a 50-year-old resident of Sarita Vihar, and Aha Devi, 79, from Buxar, Bihar, were also among those who perished.

The stampede also claimed the lives of three men. Vyom, a 25-year-old from Bawana, Delhi, and 47-year-old Manoj from Nangloi, Delhi, were among the deceased.

Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Upadhyay, explained that the stampede began when some passengers lost their footing on the stairs, causing others to fall on top of them. At the time, the Patna-bound Magadh Express was stationed at platform 14, while the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was at platform 15.

Sources suggest that delays in train departures, overcrowding, and the sale of approximately 1,500 general tickets per hour contributed to the chaotic situation. Additionally, incorrect platform change announcements may have further confused passengers, worsening the crowd surge.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and suffocation as the overcrowded station became overwhelming. One survivor, Rajesh Verma, recounted, “I was travelling to Prayagraj, but many trains were either delayed or cancelled. The station was far more crowded than I had ever seen. I saw at least six or seven women being carried away on stretchers.”

Another passenger, Manoj Tiwari, said that even confirmed ticket holders struggled to board. “The crowd was pushing and shoving. My friend and a female passenger got stuck, but we stayed outside with our children to remain safe,” he said.

A grieving man, Sunil Kumar, told reporters that his mother had died in the stampede. “We were travelling to Chhapra, Bihar, but my mother was caught in the chaos. People were pushing each other, and she didn’t make it,” he said, while another family member collapsed in grief.

Delhi Police have launched an investigation, examining CCTV footage and station announcements to determine the exact cause of the disaster. Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi while talking to reporters outside the hospital confirmed that 15 bodies had been brought to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi.

Authorities are now reviewing station crowd management measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed their condolences over the tragic incident.

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President Murmu stated on social media, “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Prime Minister Modi echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Distressed by the stampede. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing assistance to those affected.”

The railway authorities announced compensation for the victims’ families, with Rs 10 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who died. Severely injured individuals will receive Rs 2.5 lakh, while those with minor injuries will get Rs 1 lakh.