Sunday | February 16, 2025
At least 18 people were killed in a tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night as thousands of passengers scrambled to board overcrowded trains heading toward the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, according to local media reports citing police officials.
The stampede occurred around 10 p.m. local time, leaving at least nine women and five children among the dead, Delhi police confirmed in a statement to CNN affiliate CNN-News18. Scores of other passengers sustained injuries, though the exact number of wounded remains unclear.
Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police KPS Malhotra told India’s ANI news agency that the fatal crush unfolded when a sudden surge of passengers, combined with delays to two train services, created dangerous levels of overcrowding on the station platforms. He explained that the situation spiraled out of control for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, during which panic ensued and people were trampled in the chaos.
Many of those caught in the deadly crowd surge were pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where the Maha Kumbh Mela is being held. The festival, a deeply significant event for Hindus, is expected to draw around 400 million devotees over a span of six weeks. Pilgrims travel from across India and beyond to take part in ritualistic bathing in the holy rivers, believing it cleanses them of sins and brings spiritual liberation.
This latest tragedy comes just weeks after another fatal crowd crush at the festival site itself, where dozens of people lost their lives amid the massive influx of attendees.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, saying he was “distressed” by the loss of life. “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,” Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
India’s Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also addressed the incident, saying he was “deeply saddened by the unfortunate” crowd crush. “My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident,” he wrote on X.
In response to the disaster, Indian Railways mobilized four special trains to evacuate stranded passengers from the station, helping to clear congestion. Authorities confirmed that police personnel were on-site to manage the situation, and the station was now back under control.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, also known as the “Festival of the Sacred Pitcher,” is regarded as the world’s largest peaceful human gathering, attracting millions of worshippers, sadhus (holy men), and tourists. Due to the sheer scale of the event, authorities have implemented extensive crowd-control measures, but the overwhelming turnout often poses significant logistical and safety challenges.
As investigations continue into the causes of the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, officials are expected to review security protocols to prevent further tragedies as the festival progresses.
