At least 18 dead in stampede at New Delhi railway station
(VOVWORLD) - At least 18 people died in a stampede at the main railway station in India's capital New Delhi on Saturday night, media reports said on Sunday, citing the Press Trust of India news agency.
 People on their way to attend the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, jostle to board a train at the New Delhi Railway Station in New Delhi, India, February 15, 2025. (REUTERS) |
The incident occurred around 8p.m. local time on two platforms as passengers waited to board trains to Prayagraj city, where the Hindu Maha Kumbh festival is being hosted, media reports said. The death toll included five children.
An enquiry was ordered into the incident and four special trains were dispatched to evacuate the rush caused at the railway station, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X, adding that the situation is now under control.
India has witnessed several rail accidents in the last two years, including a collision in 2023 that killed at least 288 people. Indian railways is the fourth largest train network in the world and is undergoing a 30 billion USD upgrade, as part of Prime Minister Modi's push to boost connectivity.