Sun Feb 16 18:32:06 UTC 2025: ## 18 Dead, Dozens Injured in New Delhi Railway Station Stampede
**New Delhi, India** – At least 18 people, including five children, died and more than a dozen were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. The tragedy unfolded on foot-overbridges connecting platforms 14 and 15, as passengers rushed to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.
Initial reports suggest the stampede was triggered by a sudden surge of passengers, possibly exacerbated by delays in train departures and the high volume of tickets sold. Conflicting accounts also point to a possible erroneous platform announcement contributing to the chaos and subsequent crush. Some passengers reportedly slipped while descending the foot-overbridge, causing widespread panic.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has responded swiftly, ordering a high-level two-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident and identify any lapses that may have contributed to the deadly event. The investigation will aim to determine the exact cause of the stampede and recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident has cast a pall over the normally bustling railway station and left the nation mourning the loss of life.
First Piper 