Mon Feb 17 02:58:07 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Railway Station Stampede Kills 18 Amidst Kumbh Mela Rush

**New Delhi, India** – A deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed the lives of 18 people, marking the deadliest such incident at an Indian railway station since the 2017 Elphinstone Station tragedy. The chaos unfolded over platforms 14 and 15 and a connecting pedestrian bridge as thousands of passengers, including pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, converged during a period of significant delays and overcrowding.

Eyewitnesses reported escalating crowds from 7 PM onwards, particularly around the Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj entrances. A dysfunctional escalator and a blocked staircase further exacerbated bottlenecks on the already strained foot overbridge system. Delays to major trains, including the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express, compounded the issue, as did the arrival of thousands more passengers for several Bihar-bound trains. The sale of 1,500 unreserved tickets per hour, without adequate crowd control measures, significantly contributed to the crush.

Confusion surrounding conflicting announcements regarding a special train to Prayagraj proved catastrophic. While railway officials claim the special train was announced for platform 12, witnesses report hearing platform 16, leading to a surge of passengers towards the already overcrowded platforms. This surge, concentrated on the Ajmeri Gate foot overbridge, resulted in a deadly stampede as people, including women and children, were trampled.

Railway officials, while acknowledging the “unprecedented” rush, stated that five special trains were dispatched between 10 PM and midnight to alleviate the overcrowding. However, this response came too late for many caught in the initial crush. Four special evacuation trains were also deployed.

The aftermath revealed scattered belongings and the sheer scale of the disaster. Despite railway officials denying platform changes or train cancellations, the chaos created a complete blockage between 9:30 PM and 10:15 PM, highlighting critical infrastructure shortcomings at the station. By Sunday morning, the crowds had already returned, underscoring the ongoing need for improved crowd management and infrastructure upgrades at New Delhi Railway Station. The incident raises serious questions about safety protocols and crowd control measures during peak travel periods.

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