17 Dead in Tragic Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station

New Delhi | Desk: A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has claimed the lives of 17 people, including 14 women and 3 children, as passengers waited for a train bound for Kumbh. The incident occurred late on Saturday night when a special train was scheduled to arrive from Delhi to Prayagraj.

A large crowd had gathered between platforms 13, 14, and 15 since Saturday evening. However, the train to Prayagraj was repeatedly delayed, and this caused frustration among the waiting passengers. As a result, a stampede broke out among the impatient crowd.

After the stampede, many victims were trapped for an extended period. Initially, the Northern Railway's Public Relations Officer dismissed reports of the incident, calling it a rumor and denying the occurrence of any such event. This misinformation led to a delay in taking the injured to the hospital.

It was only later that the railway administration dispatched ambulances to the scene. In total, 17 people lost their lives in this unfortunate accident, while many others sustained injuries.

Regarding the stampede, DCP Railway KPS Malhotra commented, "The cause of the stampede will be determined through an investigation, which will be carried out by the Railways." 

He further explained, "We had estimated the crowd, but due to the delay of two trains and the increasing number of people, the situation escalated. The Railways will look into the facts." 

Malhotra also pointed out that the crowd grew significantly around 9 p.m. and emphasized that misinformation spreading among the large gathering could have contributed to the stampede. He confirmed that a thorough investigation will be conducted to understand what led to the tragedy.

Leaders across the country have expressed their condolences for the victims. President Droupadi Murmu stated, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray for the swift recovery of the injured."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow on social media, writing, "I am saddened by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My sympathies are with those who lost their loved ones, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery. The administration is working to identify those affected."

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav expressed his shock, stating, "The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has deeply shocked me. My condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and our entire team is assisting those impacted by the accident."