Delhi Police have begun analyzing CCTV footage to determine cause of stampede
New Delhi Railway Station Stampede Claims 18 Lives, Investigation Underway. A horrific stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed at least 18 lives and left several others injured. The tragedy unfolded as thousands of passengers gathered at the station to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival, causing a massive surge near platforms 14 and 15.
The incident occurred around 9:30 PM, when the rush of passengers overwhelmed the station, triggering panic among the crowd. Travelers descending towards the platforms reportedly lost their balance on the footbridge, causing a chain reaction that led to people falling on top of one another.
Rescue Operations and Response
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Delhi Police responded swiftly to control the situation, while four fire tenders were deployed by the fire department to assist in the rescue operations. The injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath, the Ministry of Railways announced compensation for the victims’ families: ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for those with grievous injuries, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Political Reactions and Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, sharing his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences, while Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that assistance was being provided to the affected families.
Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, criticized the government for alleged negligence in managing the crowd. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called for an independent probe into the incident, urging an investigation into the systemic failures of Indian Railways.
Investigation Underway
Delhi Police have initiated an investigation and are analyzing CCTV footage to determine the precise cause of the stampede. A high-level committee comprising senior officials from Northern Railways and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been formed to conduct a thorough probe.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor to ensure all necessary assistance is provided to the victims, while Chief Minister Atishi visited the injured at LNJP Hospital.
Authorities are focused on improving crowd management strategies to prevent future tragedies, with major railway stations likely to see enhanced safety measures during large events like the Maha Kumbh festival.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to address the systemic failures that contributed to the devastating incident.
