Deadly Stampede at New Delhi Train Station Leaves 18 Dead, Dozens Injured

A tragic stampede at a crowded railway station in New Delhi left at least 18 people dead, including 14 women and a seven-year-old child, as thousands scrambled to board trains headed to the Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj.

The chaos unfolded around 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, Feb. 15, when a sudden rush of passengers on two platforms at the New Delhi railway station turned deadly. Reports indicate that people lost their footing on a footbridge connecting the platforms, triggering a domino effect as more travelers piled in.

“She was right in front of me, and then she was gone,” said Sheela Devi, whose daughter-in-law was among the victims. Many passengers were reportedly confused after an announcement about a last-minute platform change, causing panic in the already packed station.

Survivors Describe the Horror

“There was a sea of people, and the crowd just surged toward the train. I barely made it out,” one survivor told NBC News. Many lost their belongings in the stampede, while more than a dozen suffered injuries and were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital.

Leaders React to the Tragedy

Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi called the incident “heartbreaking” and confirmed that officials were at the hospital assisting victims’ families. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured the public that the situation was under control, offering condolences to those who lost loved ones.

This disaster comes just weeks after another deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival on Jan. 28, which claimed at least 30 lives.