At least 18 people have tragically lost their lives in a crowd crush at Delhi railway station in India’s capital. The incident unfolded as throngs of people surged to catch trains heading to the world's largest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela. This festival represents the most significant event in the Hindu religious calendar, drawing tens of millions of Hindu faithful every 12 years to the northern city of Prayagraj.
The devastating incident occurred when the platform for a special train departing to Prayagraj was abruptly shifted. This sudden change caused chaos, leading individuals to collide and fall on an escalator and stairs. A porter at the railway station, who has been working as a coolie since 1981, remarked that he had never witnessed such a crowd before. He explained, “People started colliding and fell on the escalator and stairs.”
Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak hospital in Delhi, confirmed that 15 casualties were recorded at her hospital. Additionally, broadcaster NDTV reported three more deaths, quoting an official from another city hospital. Local media revealed that the death toll included 10 women and three children.
The Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to the stampede. He stated, “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences, saying, “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.”
In response to the tragedy, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Railways Minister, has ordered a high-level inquiry into the causes of the accident. Additional special trains are now being run from Delhi to manage the influx of devotees.
The Kumbh Mela has already attracted approximately 500 million devotees since it commenced last month. However, it has a history of crowd-related disasters. Last month alone, another tragic event claimed at least 30 lives in a similar crush.