At least 18 people, including nine women and five children, were killed in a crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night as passengers rushed to board trains bound for the world’s largest religious gathering, local media reported, citing police.
The stampede occurred around 10 p.m. when delays in two train services, coupled with an influx of passengers, caused severe overcrowding, according to Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police KPS Malhotra.
“The situation went out of control for a brief spell of 10 to 15 minutes,” Malhotra told India’s ANI news agency.
Many in the crowd were believed to be traveling to the Maha Kumbh Mela, a massive religious event held in the city of Prayagraj. The tragedy comes just weeks after another deadly crowd crush at the festival itself.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that he was “distressed” by the loss of lives.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected,” he wrote on X.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Union Minister of Railways, also conveyed his condolences, saying he was “deeply saddened by the unfortunate” incident. He assured that “the entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected.”
Vaishnaw added that four trains had been deployed to evacuate people from the station, with police securing the area and restoring order.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, known as the world’s largest peaceful gathering, is expected to draw an estimated 400 million people over six weeks to the banks of Prayagraj for the festival of the Sacred Pitcher.
Source-CNN
