Sun Feb 16 05:18:09 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Railway Station Stampede Kills at Least 18, Injures Dozens

**New Delhi, India** – A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on the evening of [Date], resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people and injured numerous others. The incident occurred around 8:00 PM during a rush of passengers heading to the Kumbh Mela religious festival.

Initial reports from railway officials denied any stampede or fatalities, but Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, later confirmed multiple deaths via X (formerly Twitter). Saxena visited LNJP Hospital late into the night, where the injured were receiving treatment. He did not provide a precise figure for the death toll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families via X, stating his distress at the incident and offering prayers for the injured. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of ₹200,000 for the families of Bihar residents who perished in the stampede. The BJP suspended all its planned events for the day and pledged full support to the victims.

While initial reports attributed the stampede to a single passenger falling on the stairs of a foot overbridge connecting platforms 14 and 15, leading to a domino effect, the Railway administration is facing criticism for potential mismanagement. Reports suggest that a high volume of general tickets (1500 per hour) were sold, contributing to overcrowding. Further, some accounts suggest a last-minute change in platform allocation for a special train to Prayagraj exacerbated the situation.

Eyewitnesses, including a porter with 44 years of experience at the station, described chaotic scenes and the challenges faced in retrieving bodies from the crush. Passengers recounted harrowing experiences of being trapped in the surge of people, some unable to board their trains even with confirmed tickets.

The railway authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident, forming a two-member committee to determine the exact cause. The central government announced financial aid of ₹1 million for the families of the deceased, ₹250,000 for those critically injured, and ₹100,000 for those with minor injuries. Additional security measures have been implemented at stations across Delhi and surrounding areas. While train services have resumed, a sense of fear and uncertainty persists among passengers. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on potential overcrowding, last-minute platform changes, and overall railway management.

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