Sun Feb 16 07:20:38 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Railway Station Stampede Kills 18 Amidst Maha Kumbh Rush
**New Delhi, India** – At least 18 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Saturday night, causing chaos as thousands waited to board trains heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred around 10 pm on platforms 12, 15, and 16, areas usually not experiencing such high volume, according to a local vendor.
The station remained extremely crowded for over 12 hours after the tragedy. Authorities responded by deploying additional police and using ropes to control the surging crowds. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level inquiry, appointing Narsingh Deo and Pankaj Gangwar to lead the investigation, which has already begun collecting video footage. The inquiry will examine the causes of the accident, with initial reports suggesting conflicting accounts of the events.
The Railways announced compensation of ₹10 lakh (approximately $120,000 USD) for the families of those killed, ₹2.5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries. Extra trains have been deployed to alleviate the pressure on the station.
While railway officials deny that train cancellations or platform changes triggered the stampede, eyewitnesses claim a rumour about a platform change caused the panic. The Northern Railway’s CPRO, Himanshu Upadhyay, attributed the incident to individuals falling on the stairs of a foot-over bridge leading to platforms 14 and 15, causing a chain reaction.
The incident highlights the immense pressure on transportation networks due to the Maha Kumbh Mela. Millions of devotees are traveling to Prayagraj for the religious festival, which has also caused significant traffic congestion in the city and surrounding areas. The festival is scheduled to continue until February 26.
First Piper 