The chaotic scene at New Delhi Railway Station left 15 dead and many injured as severe overcrowding ensued during the Maha Kumbh rush. While early reports hinted at a stampede, officials attribute the tragedy to massive crowding due to train delays and ticket over-sales.
BY PC bureau
At least 15 people lost their lives and many others sustained injuries following a tragic incident at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. According to officials, the disaster unfolded around 10 pm on platforms 13 and 14, when thousands of Maha Kumbh devotees converged to board their trains, triggering widespread panic.
Initial reports indicated that extreme overcrowding led to severe suffocation, with four female passengers rendered unconscious and rushed to a hospital in critical condition. In response to the emergency, Delhi Fire Services promptly dispatched four fire tenders, and multiple ambulances arrived on the scene to aid the injured.
नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर भगदड़ में 15 लोगों की मौत
दो कौड़ी व्यवस्थाएं हैं… pic.twitter.com/z7qRRRHsTO— shyam jee (@PremprakshShyam) February 15, 2025
While early descriptions of the event suggested a stampede-like scenario, authorities later clarified that the incident was the result of uncontrolled crowding. “When the Prayagraj Express was stationed at platform 14, the area became heavily congested. Due to delays with the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, passengers from platforms 12, 13, and 14 mingled together. With around 1,500 general tickets sold, the crowd became unmanageable, especially near platform 14 and the escalator at platform 1,” explained Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra.
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Expressing his deep sorrow over the incident, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced that he had ordered immediate action. “This tragic loss of life and injury due to the disorder at New Delhi Railway Station is heartbreaking. I have spoken with the Chief Secretary and the Police Commissioner, urging them to take control and address the situation promptly,” Saxena stated in a post on social media.
🔴🚨#BREAKING: A stampede-like situation broke out at the New Delhi Railway station, INDIA triggering a chaos, around 15 people died and many injured.
📍#Newdelhi railway station pic.twitter.com/8TIVau0IxH
— Prime Fact Chronicles (@ChroniclesPrime) February 15, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Saxena further directed that Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) measures be implemented immediately and that relief personnel be deployed to assist. All hospitals have been put on high alert, and both the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner have been instructed to monitor and manage the ongoing relief efforts at the station.
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
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Videos circulating on social media capture the chaotic scene inside the station, showing massive crowds of passengers rushing through the platforms—some carrying children and others struggling with their luggage amid the turmoil. Although the exact cause of the chaos remains under investigation, initial reports suggest that delays in two special trains servicing the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, may have contributed to the overwhelming congestion.
दिल्ली स्टेशन पर भगदड़ मचने से 15 लोगों की मौत हुई है: रिपोर्ट pic.twitter.com/5yDPl5Khb0
— Sumit Kumar (@skphotography68) February 15, 2025
Eyewitnesses described how the situation quickly spiraled out of control, with scenes of panic and disarray as the injured lay scattered on the platforms, underscoring the urgent need for effective crowd management at one of the nation’s busiest transit hubs.
