India Train Station Stampede Leaves 18 Dead Amid Religious Festival Rush
A devastating stampede at a railway station in New Delhi has claimed the lives of at least 18 people, mostly women and children, as massive crowds scrambled to board trains to the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering.
The tragic incident occurred late Saturday night as thousands of Hindu devotees rushed to catch special trains bound for Prayagraj, where the six-week festival is being held.
The Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of worshippers every 12 years, has a history of deadly crowd disasters, with similar incidents recorded in past editions.
Eyewitness Accounts and Official Reactions
Dr. Ritu Saxena, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital, confirmed that 15 victims died on arrival at the hospital, suffering from possible hypoxia or blunt force injuries.
Another three casualties were reported at a separate medical facility, bringing the total to 18 deaths.
A railway porter, who has worked at the station since 1981, described the chaos, saying, “I have never seen a crowd like this before. People collided and fell on the escalator and stairs when the platform for a special train was suddenly changed.”
India’s Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a high-level investigation into the tragedy, while additional trains have been deployed to ease congestion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, “I am deeply distressed by the loss of lives. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Recurring Crowd Tragedies at Kumbh Mela
This latest disaster echoes past tragedies at the festival. In 1954, over 400 people lost their lives in a single-day stampede.
More recently, in 2013, 36 people were trampled to death. Despite increased security measures, managing millions of pilgrims remains a monumental challenge.
Final Thoughts
With the Kumbh Mela festival continuing until February 26, authorities are urging devotees to remain cautious and adhere to safety protocols to prevent further tragedies.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families in this time of grief.
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