New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways ordered a high-level probe after more than a dozen people were killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station (NDLS) Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Railway, K.P.S. Malhotra told ThePrint at least 15 people died in the stampede. The toll later climbed to 18, including 11 women and 5 minors.
DCP Malhotra, “Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14 … there was a stampede at platform 14 and near the escalator near platform 16.”
The Delhi Police first received a distress call from NDLS at 9.55pm.
“According to CMI, every hour 1,500 general tickets were sold by railways due to which the station got overcrowded and became uncontrollable” the DCP added.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Daulat Ram Chaudhary who was at NDLS along with his team to carry out relief operations told the media in the early hours of Sunday, “…The situation is under control now. The injured have been evacuated …”
The situation, according to the Ministry of Railways, was later brought under control by easing the rush through operation of four special trains.
In a separate statement, the chief casualty medical officer at the Lok Nayak Hospital here said at least 10 others were under treatment at the hospital for injuries.
The Ministry of Railways in an earlier statement had said “unprecedented rush situation” developed near platforms 13 and 14 around 10 pm during which “some of the passengers present there fainted,” which led to panic and rumours of a stampede-like situation.
Dilip Kumar, executive director of Information & Publicity, Railway Board, told news agency ANI that the “number of passengers was relatively very high today at New Delhi railway station”. He added that a decision was made to briefly ‘block entry’ to the railway station in the wake of the tragic incident, “but the situation is under control now”. Kumar also said a two-member high-level committee has been formed to probe the incident.
On Sunday, Indian Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for next of kin of those killed in the stampede, besides a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh each for those seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh each for those with minor injuries.
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Eyewitness accounts
Kaushalya Devi, an eyewitness, told ThePrint, “Suddenly when the train came, people rushed towards it and I saw two kids nearly fall down from it.” A resident of Gurugram, Kaushalya Devi was headed to Prayagraj along with her family of seven including three children. She later boarded a Prayagraj-bound special train to attend the Maha Kumbh.
Another eyewitness, Bimla, said she arrived at the New Delhi railway station around 9.30pm. “There was already so much rush when we came to the station that it was difficult even to breathe,” she told ThePrint.
Adding, “The train was supposed to come at 10.50pm. We rushed to another platform as soon as we saw the bodies of kids. Later, we saw people being taken to ambulances.”
A third eyewitness, 24-year-old Khushboo, said she was headed to Patna to attend a wedding along with her infant. “Suddenly at around 8pm, there was overcrowding at the stairs,” she told ThePrint, adding that she could not board her train and lost a bag which had jewellery worth Rs 25,000 when the ‘rush-like’ situation turned into a stampede.
A fourth eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said she had to board a train to Ballia in Uttar Pradesh to visit her parents when things took a turn for the worse. “If they (railways) are making special arranging trains for those going to Maha Kumbh, they should have also made arrangements for the others who are now stranded,” she said.
PM Modi, Railways minister react
Reacting to the loss of life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on ‘X’ wrote: “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi railway station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones.”
Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, too, expressed condolences and said in a post on ‘X’ that the “entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident”.
Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025
Delhi L-G Vinay Kumar Saxena said he was monitoring the relief operations and had directed the chief secretary and the police commissioner to coordinate relief operations.
There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station.
Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation.
CS has been asked to deploy relief personnel.
Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of…
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) February 15, 2025
Saxena and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and Delhi’s caretaker Chief Minister Atishi later visited the LNJP hospital to check on those under treatment.
Addressing the media outside the hospital, Saxena said that Delhi Police personnel have been deployed at NDLS for the time being and that the movement of trains is now normal.
Caretaker CM Atishi, meanwhile, told the media, “…15 people were brought dead to the LNJP hospital, and the same number of injured are also admitted here… two of the bodies are yet to be identified.”
This is an updated version of the report
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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Reel Minister, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnav, must resign at the earliest. He has been an absolute failure as far as the Ministry of Railways is concerned.
No Rail Minister in India has presided over so many accidents and so many deaths. Mr. Ashwini Vaishnav should be in Guiness Book of Records.