Deadly Crush at New Delhi Railway Station Leaves 18 Dead, 10 Injured

A crush at New Delhi Railway Station has left at least 18 people dead and 10 others injured after thousands of passengers crowded the station on Saturday night to board delayed trains. 

Officials confirmed that four of the victims were children, while 10 were women. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating his thoughts were “with all those who have lost their loved ones.” 

Crowd crushes are a recurring tragedy in India, particularly at religious festivals, public events, and transit hubs. This incident follows another deadly stampede at the Kumbh Mela festival in northern India weeks earlier, where 30 people lost their lives during a pre-dawn rush to bathe in sacred river waters. 

Witnesses told BBC Hindi that a “huge crowd” had gathered at the station, with many pilgrims travelling to and from the Kumbh Mela, currently being held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, hundreds of other travellers were waiting for trains to various destinations. 

According to railway officials, two incoming trains had been delayed, while a third, the Prayagraj Express, was still waiting to depart, contributing to the chaos. 

Ruby Devi, a passenger, said the crowd at New Delhi’s main railway station was so dense that she was unable to enter the building. Umesh Giri, whose wife, Shilam Devi, died in the crush, described the scene as “uncontrollable” while attempting to board the Prayagraj Express. Another passenger, Dharmendra Singh, told India’s PTI news agency that the station was more crowded than he had ever seen before. 

“In front of me, six or seven women were taken away on stretchers,” Singh recounted. 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the crush. KPS Malhotra, deputy commissioner of police (railways), linked the tragedy to the delays. “This happened due to a delay in two trains arriving and more people gathering at the station,” he said. 

The incident has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who have accused the government of poor planning and administrative failure. 

“Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station,” opposition leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

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