Mon Feb 17 05:26:49 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Railway Station Stampede Kills 18, Injures 15
**New Delhi, India** – A horrific stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed the lives of 18 people and injured at least 15 more. The incident occurred around 9:55 pm as a massive crowd surged to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh religious festival. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with people pushing and scrambling amid cries for help.
Among the victims were 14 women and five minors, two of whom were under the age of 10. Many were traveling together as families. One grieving family member told reporters that his mother had died in the crush.
Passengers reported that the situation was exacerbated by blocked staircases on platforms 14 and 15, leading to severe congestion. Hashibur Rehman, a passenger, stated that initially closed staircases were opened late, causing a surge of people trying to board the trains and access the platform. He also claimed that there was a significant lack of police presence, with officials arriving only an hour after the incident.
Delhi Police have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the stampede. Initial reports suggest a possible mistaken announcement regarding a platform change may have contributed to the chaos. The high volume of passengers heading to Prayagraj, with an estimated 1,500 general tickets sold per hour, also significantly contributed to the overcrowding.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, offering prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, initially acknowledged the deaths in a social media post but later edited the post to remove that information.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for improved crowd management and safety measures at the station. Authorities are working to provide support to the families of the victims and those injured.
First Piper 