Tragedy Strikes New Delhi Railway Station as Crowd Crush Claims Lives

At least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries reported in a significant crowd surge at the station amid religious festivities.

A horrific incident unfolded at New Delhi Railway Station, where at least 15 individuals lost their lives and 10 others sustained injuries due to a crush. This chaos erupted as large crowds gathered, many of them traveling for the Hindu religious festival, Kumbh Mela. Eyewitness accounts relayed to BBC Hindi described an overwhelming scene, with one observer noting the crowd size made entry into the station nearly impossible, creating a "stampede-like situation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media platform X, stating his thoughts were with those grieving their loved ones. Authorities have reported that they have regained control of the situation, but the aftermath of the chaos is deeply unsettling.

Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent at Lok Nayak Hospital, confirmed the grim toll of 15 deceased at her facility. Among the deceased, reports indicate three were children and 10 were women, highlighting the tragedy's profound impact on families.

Despite initial denials, Indian Railways eventually acknowledged that injuries had occurred, with a significant number of individuals transported to hospitals for treatment. This unfortunate event follows a prior tragedy linked to the Kumbh Mela festival, where dozens died in a pre-dawn surge as millions congregated for sacred rituals. The repeated nature of such tragedies raises critical questions about crowd control and safety protocols at large public events in India.