new-delhi-station-stampede-deaths-rise-to-18-several-injured

The death toll from a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station rose to 18 on Sunday, as the city police launched an investigation and began reviewing CCTV footage to ascertain the cause of the chaos.

 

The stampede occurred late on Saturday night at platform numbers 14 and 15, where a surge in passengers bound for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is underway, resulted in severe overcrowding.

 

Over a dozen people were injured, several critically, and are undergoing treatment at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (LNJP).

 

Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi confirmed the casualty figures, stating, "Almost 15 people are injured and they are undergoing treatment."

 

She added that 15 bodies were brought to LNJP Hospital. Among the deceased, 14 were women, and five were minors, including two children below the age of 10.

 

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi railway station | Delhi's caretaker CM & AAP leader Atishi says, "Those who lost their lives, their families have been informed. It's a sad incident. Our two MLAs are here. I have asked hospital management to let our MLAs know if any of the victim's… pic.twitter.com/HrsJNgkSd5

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025

 

According to official sources, the chaos was triggered by a wrong announcement regarding a platform change, which led to mass confusion.

 

Stampede at Delhi Railway station is due to the sudden announcement of change of plateform from 12 to 16. Rajkumar lost his wife and daughter in this stampede. 💔#NewDelhiRailwaystation#Stampede pic.twitter.com/fazrHjvG8T

— Adv Rukhsana Sayed (@Umm_e_meerann) February 15, 2025

नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर "जो गिरा वो दबता चला गया जो इंजन के सामने गिरा वो कटता चला गया।"

आज तक पर लोग "200 मौतें" बता रहे हैं हालंकि रेलवे ने कहा है कि सिर्फ 15 लोगों की मौत हुई बाकी बेहोश है सच्चाई का इंतजार है।#NewDelhiRailwaystation#delhistampede pic.twitter.com/U663KVSaNB

— Anjali (@anju1608) February 16, 2025

Eyewitnesses described a frenzied scene, as people jostled for space and several collapsed due to suffocation.

 

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi Railway station | A sergeant in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and eyewitness, Ajit says, "We have a tri-service office at the railway station. When I was returning after my duty I couldn't go as there was a huge crowd... I tried to convince people and… pic.twitter.com/dnUXlOstV7

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025

 

One victim's family member recounted the tragic loss of his mother.

 

"We were travelling to our home in Chhapra, Bihar, in a group, but my mother died in the chaos. People were pushing each other," he said.

 

"The doctor has confirmed to us that my mother has died."

 

Authorities responded swiftly to the emergency, dispatching rescue teams and four fire tenders to the site. Heavy police deployment has also been ordered outside LNJP Hospital.

 

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, writing, "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. 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."

 

Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. 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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed similar sentiments. "Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to the stampede on the railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," he posted on X.

 

Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 15, 2025

 

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena initially described the incident as "unfortunate and tragic" in a social media post that mentioned the loss of lives. However, he later edited his message to remove any reference to casualties, providing no explanation for the alteration.

 

Delhi LG edited his post and removed the part where he said there was a stampede and loss of lives...
ANI copy pasted his first tweet, Soon after he edited his tweet, ANI deleted their tweet and posted a new tweet quoting his edited tweet. That's not how a News agency is expected… pic.twitter.com/Ol7dE1hQ0r

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 15, 2025

 

The deputy commissioner of police (railway) noted that the congestion stemmed from multiple delayed trains.

 

"Platform number 14 was already very crowded when the Prayagraj Express train was waiting there for its departure. Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were also delayed, and their passengers were present on platforms 12, 13, and 14," the officer said.

Also read: 15 killed in New Delhi Station stampede, probe ordered

 

The DCP further revealed that the stampede occurred around 9.55 pm near the escalator at platform number 16.

 

"As per CMI, every hour 1,500 general tickets were sold by the railways, causing the station to become overcrowded and uncontrollable," he added.

 

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, attributed the incident to an overwhelming passenger footfall.

 

"So far, four special trains have been released for passenger convenience, and more are being considered. Arrangements are being made for additional special trains," he said.

 

Passengers described chaotic scenes at the station.

 

Dharmendra Singh, who was travelling to Prayagraj, said, "I was going to Prayagraj but many trains were running late or were cancelled. The station was overcrowded. There were far more people than I have ever seen at this station. In front of me, six or seven women were taken away on stretchers."

 

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi railway station | An eyewitness says, "The crowd was beyond the limit, people were gathered at the (foot over) bridge... Such a huge crowd wasn't expected. I have never seen such a massive crowd at the railway station, even during the festivals.… pic.twitter.com/Ht6xJjNPpc

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

 

Pramod Chaurasia, another passenger, narrated his experience: "I had a sleeper-class ticket for Purushottam Express but even those with confirmed tickets could not board the train. One of my friends and a female passenger got stuck in the crowd. There was too much pushing and jostling. We managed to stay safe by waiting outside with our children."

 

 

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station | "...There was no one to control the crowd...It was announced that the train coming on platform number 12 will come on platform number 16. So the crowd came from both sides and a stampede occurred...some people were taken to the… pic.twitter.com/JRYFQ3prHT

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the stampede while reviewing CCTV footage to determine what led to the fatal overcrowding.

 

Meanwhile, additional measures are being taken to prevent further incidents as passenger numbers swell during the Maha Kumbh period.

 

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from platform number 14 - one of the platforms at New Delhi Railway Station, where a stampede broke out at around 10 PM yesterday, leaving 18 people dead and several others injured. pic.twitter.com/5MeTuDxHRc

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025