Sun Feb 16 06:07:11 UTC 2025: **New Delhi Railway Station Stampede Leaves 16 Dead, Dozens Injured**

NEW DELHI — A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including two children, and injuries to at least 10 others. The incident, which occurred around 9:55 pm on platforms 14 and 15, was triggered by an overwhelming influx of passengers from delayed trains, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra. The sudden surge in crowds, exacerbated by the sale of extra tickets for a Prayagraj-bound train, caused a crush, leading to several passengers fainting and sustaining injuries.

Eyewitnesses reported chaos and a lack of adequate police presence to manage the surging crowds. One IAF sergeant stated that station administration attempted to control the situation, but their appeals were largely ignored.

Emergency services, including the Delhi Fire Service, Railway Protection Force (RPF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Delhi Police, responded swiftly, dispatching rescue teams and ambulances. Four special trains were deployed to alleviate the overcrowding. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, primarily Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital (LNJP), where 15 of the fatalities were reported.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and political finger-pointing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and called for a speedy recovery of the injured. The Railway Ministry has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, while opposition parties like the Congress and AAP have leveled criticism at the BJP government, questioning its preparedness and responsibility for the tragedy. Accusations of negligence and inadequate crowd management measures have been raised. The inquiry will aim to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any failings in safety protocols.

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