VIDEO: Stampede at New Delhi railway station leaves 18 dead, several injured

A tragic stampede at New Delhi’s main railway station on Saturday night resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including five children, and left more than a dozen others injured.

The chaos erupted as massive crowds gathered to board trains bound for the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

The stampede occurred around 8 PM local time as passengers attempted to board the overcrowded Prayagraj Express. Delays of two other trains worsened the congestion on multiple platforms, creating a critical situation that quickly spiraled out of control, according to Delhi Police.

Officials confirmed that 15 victims were brought dead to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, with more succumbing to injuries later. Emergency responders worked through the night to assist the injured and control the situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the disaster, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the stampede at New Delhi railway station. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.” He also assured that authorities are providing necessary assistance to those affected according to The Hindu. 

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, attracts tens of millions of Hindu devotees. The event has seen several crowd-related disasters in the past, including a deadly stampede just last month that claimed at least 30 lives at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the latest incident, with calls for improved crowd management measures to prevent future tragedies.