A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed 18 lives due to suffocation. Officials reported an overwhelming number of pilgrims bound for Kumbh converging on platforms 14 and 15, waiting for trains to Prayagraj. Twelve critically injured individuals are receiving treatment at Delhi's LNJP Hospital. Among the deceased were 9 women, 4 men, and 5 children.
The deceased hailed from Bihar, Delhi, and Haryana; 9, 8, and 1 respectively.
Witnesses stated that the thronging crowds sparked a panic, leading to suffocation incidents.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) noted that platform 14 was already crowded when passengers awaited the Prayagraj Express for departure.
Delayed trains, including the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, added more passengers to platforms 12, 13, and 14.
The stampede erupted around 9:55 p.m., urgently necessitating swift action by authorities.
A grieving traveler, who lost his mother in the chaos, lamented their trip to Bihar's Chhapra to their home. He recounted being in a group, chaos, and his mother's confirmation of death by doctors.
A family member fainted from shock amidst the tumult.
Immediate Investigative Findings Clarify Situation
An investigative committee's preliminary report indicates the announcement of a special Prayagraj-bound train fueled the stampede.
Here, we present their verbatim report.
"On 15.02.2025, around 10:00 p.m., a stampede occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. Platform 14 was overcrowded with passengers bound for Prayagraj."
Read More: 'I've Never Seen Such Crowds...' Eyewitness at NDLS Describes the Tragic Incident
"Meanwhile, platform 13's Swatantrata Senani Express passengers to Darbhanga swelled. With delays leading to midnight departures, passengers lingered, overcrowding platforms 14 and 13."
"Railway officials were issuing nearly 1,500 general tickets per hour for Prayagraj, intensifying platform 14's congestion. Crowds left no space for standing."
"At about 10 p.m., officials announced a special Prayagraj train from platform 16, considering swelling crowds and ongoing ticket sales."
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"The announcement spurred general ticket holders from platform 14 to rush over the footbridge toward platform 16, trampling previously seated travelers, inciting a stampede. Numerous men, women, and children were injured."
These details emerge from the railway's preliminary investigation report. Today, Aaj Tak has this exclusive report.
Sources suggest the station's low RPF presence due to deployments elsewhere like Prayagraj Station during the incident.
Further Read: Compensation Announced for Stampede Victims - ₹10 Lakh for the Deceased, ₹2.5 Lakh for Injured
Railway Spokesperson's Account
North Railway CPRO Himanshu Shekhar stated that during the tragic event, the Magadh Express, bound for Patna, was at platform 14, and a Jammu-bound train was stationed at platform 15. Crowds caused people to fall, leading to the tragedy. A high-level committee investigates.
Himanshu Shekhar emphasized no train, schedule, or platform changes occurred; special trains were introduced.
The crowds felt usual until an accidental fall triggered the chaos.
Now, conditions have normalized at the station with regular train operations.
Eyewitness Accounts
Atul Garg, head of Delhi Fire Service (DFS), reported dispatching rescue teams and four fire engines to the site. Northern Railway's chief public relations officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay informed PTI of injuries due to passenger pushing, with mediation for medical aid.
Source: aajtak
Passenger Dharmendra Singh shared observations en route to Prayagraj, uncomfortable with train delays and cancellations, witnessing larger than usual crowds with stretchers for 6-7 individuals.
Passenger Pramod Chaurasia described navigating the stampede 'with a sleeper class ticket for Purushottam Express, yet even confirmed ticket holders couldn't board. Friends entangled in the dense surge; our family managed to wait out the peril safely.'"
Further Read: Mahakumbh Stampede: Navigate Dense Crowds with These Survival Tips
Prior to death confirmations, Railway Board PR Officer Dilip Kumar informed PTI about the overwhelming influx creating a stampede-kind situation with fainting incidents.
He stated, "Four special trains have been activated for passenger aid with considerations for further additions monitoring demand."
Railway Porter's Insight Vital
A seasoned porter, Sugan Lal Meena, expressed shock at unprecedented crowd levels since 1981. The Prayagraj Special's platform 12 departure rerouted to platform 16 incited chaos.
Sugan Lal further detailed, 'With combined effort, porters raced 15 bodies to ambulances as crowds collided at escalators and stairways, with numerous rescue and medical service calls.'"
Aaj Tak Seeking Passenger Narratives
Reporter Anjana Om Kashyap engaged Prayagraj-bound train passengers at 1 a.m. 'The crowds surged; chaos ensued, with those falling getting trampled.' A seated woman noted porters and police aiding recovery.
Another woman recounted, 'Overpowered on the staircase, thronged beyond control, a 5-year-old expired. Nearby efforts to revive didn't succeed.'
An observer cited, 'A young boy, roughly 18, suddenly fainted, spiraling escape attempts,' while another mentioned stairway conditions blocked escape paths, heightening peril.
A Bihar traveler emotionally detailed a son escaping narrowly under a bag toss, attributing survival to divine grace, choosing to not return to the village."
