Tragedy struck at the New Delhi railway station as a stampede resulted in the loss of at least 18 lives, including 14 women. The incident occurred late Saturday when a large crowd of people, many of whom were Hindu pilgrims en route to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, gathered at the station.
According to reports, chaos ensued when passengers slipped and fell on each other while descending from a footbridge connecting train platforms. The confusion was exacerbated by an announcement regarding a change in train platforms, leading to a surge in the crowd that spiraled out of control.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene, with one shopkeeper, Nikhil Kumar, recounting the inability to contain the crowd surge. Sheela Devi, who was at the hospital to claim her daughter-in-law's body, highlighted the tragic consequences of the stampede.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He assured that authorities were providing assistance to those affected by the stampede.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede, emphasizing the need to determine the root cause of the tragedy. This unfortunate event comes on the heels of another stampede last month during the Maha Kumbh festival, where 30 individuals lost their lives amidst the massive gathering of Hindu devotees.
