Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway KPS Malhotra told ANI, "Keeping in view the current scenario, if there is an increased footfall and extra trains need to be operated to cater to the increased footfall, we have intensified the arrangements - as far as the manpower and force is concerned...If the transition of individual to group, group to crowd and crowd to mob is avoided, such incidents can be averted to a large extent."

He emphasised that such incidents can be averted if people follow acceptable social behaviour. "If people don't rush unnecessarily, there won't be a catastrophic effect where everyone rushes. If disciplined behaviour is followed, there is a great chance for such incidents to be averted. Everyone is a capable decision-maker. If you feel that the rush is increasing, halting at that time is better rather than boarding the train at that time...," the officer said.

A family from Bihar is mourning the tragic loss of three of its members who were among the 18 people killed in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening.

The victims had travelled from Bihar to Delhi to attend the Maha Kumbh festival and were caught in the chaos that broke out at the station.

One of their relatives, Pramod Kumar, told ANI, "...They had gone to Delhi to take a dip during the Maha Kumbh. There was chaos at the New Delhi Railway Station. In the process, these people died. Three members were from my family. My brother's mother-in-law, father-in-law and their daughter's child."

Amid chaos over the stampede at New Delhi railway station, which killed 18 people, including three children, security has been heightened at Lucknow railway station in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

Government Railway Police SSP Prashant Kumar on Sunday said that they were coordinating with the railways and the local police to ensure smooth functioning as people continue to flock to the Lucknow railway station to visit the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

"Maha Kumbh has been organised here, and a large number of devotees are travelling here by railway... To ensure smooth functioning, we are constantly working in coordination with the railways and the local police. The devotees coming here are being provided with a safe environment based on the inputs we are getting from our people," Mr Kumar told ANI.

Footwear, clothes and personal belongings of victims were strewn across platforms, escalators and the railway overbridge after a stampede late on Saturday caused as people jostled to board trains to Uttar Pradesh's Maha Kumbh, where the Maha Kumbh is underway.

18 people, including 11 women and five children, were killed in a stampede at the station where a surge of crowd was witnessed as thousands shuttled between platforms to board trains going to Prayagraj.

After the stampede and rescue efforts at the station, visuals showed piles of clothes, shoes, water bottles, bags and other belongings of people scattered along the station premises. Staff was pressed into gathering them into bags and disposing them. Click here to read more.

A day after the tragic stampede incident at New Delhi railway station, Northern Railway enforced a number of measures to avoid any such untoward incident in the days to come.

The Ministry of Railways has announced that all special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16.

"Therefore, all the passengers wanting to go to Prayagraj shall come & go from Ajmeri Gate side of New Delhi railway station. Regular trains will continue to be operated from all platforms as the regular practice is. This is a step in the direction of avoiding peak hour rush getting accumulated in one platform," the Ministry said in an official statement. Click here to read more.

The Delhi Police put out a list of the 18 victims. The dead were identified as Asha Devi (79), Pinky Devi (41), Sheela Devi (50), Vyom (25), Poonam Devi (40), Lalita Devi (35), Suruchi (11), Krishna Devi (40), Vijay Sah (15), Neeraj (12), Shanti Devi (40), Pooja Kumari (8), Sangeeta Malik (34), Poonam (34), Mamta Jha (40), Riya Singh (7), Baby Kumari (24) and Manoj (47).

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and announced ex gratia for the next of kin of the deceased hailing from the eastern state.

"The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured," a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.

Relatives of victims wait outside the mortuary at the LNJP Hospital, in New Delhi on Sunday. (Image credit: PTI)

The railway ministry said on Sunday that several measures have been enforced to avoid any such untoward incident in the future.

"It has been decided that all special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16. Therefore, all the passengers wanting to go to Prayagraj shall come and go from the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi railway station," a press statement issued by the ministry said.

It added that regular trains will continue to be operated from all platforms as usual. "This is a step in the direction of avoiding peak-hour rush getting accumulated in one platform," it said.

Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and neighbouring cities continued to face massive traffic over the weekend as thousands of vehicles moved towards the city for the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which has attracted more than 50 crore devotees since it began last month.

The congestion in the city was seen near Balsan, Bairhana, Sobtiabagh and Darbhanga. A 15-minute journey is taking residents nearly three hours.

The number of Maha Kumbh-bound vehicles in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa, which borders Prayagraj, has also increased in the past 24 hours. Click here to read more.

Grieving relatives of Poonam Devi, a woman from Bihar's Chapra who died in New Delhi railway station stampede, outside the mortuary at the LNJP Hospital, in New Delhi on Sunday. (Image credit: PTI)

The distraught family members of those missing since the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station frantically searched for their loved ones on Sunday, running from one hospital to another, carrying their photos and not knowing what to do.

Many said the hospitals did not allow them to search for their missing family members among the patients admitted there, turning their hopes into despair.

Outside the LNJP hospital, Bhola Sah showed a photo of his wife, Meena, on his mobile phone. She has been untraceable since the stampede.

"She is missing since yesterday evening after she went to the railway station to board a train to Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh. She did not have any ticket. Her 4-5 companions are also untraceable and their mobile numbers are not connecting," Sah said.

"Hospital officials told me there are no bodies of the stampede victims as all bodies have been taken away by their relatives," he said.

A man tries to board his child through a window of an overcrowded train, at the New Delhi railway station, on Sunday. (Image credit: PTI)

With the death count in the overnight stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station climbing to 18 on Sunday, porters recounted their harrowing experience of carrying bodies on handcarts amid the chaos.

Describing the situation, Krishna Kumar Jogi, a porter at the station, said the crowd swelled when a train bound for Prayagraj arrived.

"A massive crowd gathered on the (footover) bridge. People were packed so tightly that many suffocated. Around 10-15 people lost their lives right there," he claimed.

"I witnessed the entire incident. We carried dead bodies from platform numbers 14 and 15 to the ambulance," he added. Click here to read more.

A day after a deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station claimed 18 lives, the station remained overcrowded on Sunday, with thousands of passengers struggling to board trains amid heavy rush.

Despite additional measures, the influx of passengers -- several of them Maha Kumbh pilgrims travelling to Prayagraj -- has continued with the sheer volume of travellers making the situation difficult to handle for authorities.

"Even after what happened, the situation is the same. We are trying our best, but the number of people is too high," said an RPF officer stationed at platform 16.

With general tickets being issued at an estimated rate of 1,500 per hour, the passenger surge continues to strain resources.

Prayagraj special trains are departing at more than double their capacity, with people clinging to doors, stuffing themselves into packed compartments, and even climbing through train windows in desperation.

A political row has erupted over Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's edited social media post over the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station which occurred on Saturday night and caused the deaths of 18 people, including five children, and left many others injured.

Initially, Mr Saxena's post on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledged the "tragic loss of lives and injuries" due to the "disorder and stampede" at the station, offering his condolences to the victims' families.

However, within minutes, he altered the statement, removing any mention of deaths and softening the language to describe the incident as merely "unfortunate." Click here to read more.

"Meri ladki ke kila ghus gaya (a nail pierced my daughter's head)," said a man, whose 7-year-old daughter was among the 18 who died during a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station late on Saturday when surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to UP's Prayagraj to visit Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering.

"14 number platform se neeche utare, lekin bheed dekh ke wapas aane lage, maine kaha bheed jyada hai, chalo ghar chalte hain, bachho ko leke nahi jaate, chote chote bacche hain kya karenge, sone ko bhi nahi hai (We got down from platform number 14, but seeing the crowd we started coming back. I said there is too much crowd, let's go home, we should not take the children along, what will we do with the little ones. They don't even have anything to sleep on," Opil Singh, who had a confirmed ticket and was headed to Maha Kumbh with his family, told NDTV. Click here to read more.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose accused the central government of "callously playing with the lives of Indian citizens" and called it "tragic beyond words".

"First Narendra Modi and his BJP deny any stampede. Then they call it a rumour. Then they admit a 'few people' 'injured'. Then BJP is forced accept a 'few' "may have" died," Ms Ghose said in a post on X.

"The jumla party and its jumla government keeps covering up deaths and tragedy again and again and callously playing with the lives of Indian citizens. The 'minimum governance, maximum publicity' mantra of the Modi government is again exposed by the shocking New Delhi station stampede. Tragic beyond words," she added. 

The @narendramodi government has totally failed to ensure proper crowd management at the #KumbhMela2025 and for those journeying to the Kumbh. The @BJP4India keeps trying to cover up instead of taking responsibility. We demand accountability for the deaths at… pic.twitter.com/j1KUGyczZS

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) February 16, 2025

Following the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that has claimed 18 lives so far, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Railway, KPS Malhotra said: "...The RPF (Railway Protection Force) and Delhi Police have made a combined arrangement... Dynamic arrangements have been made for special trains... Arrangements have been made at both the exit points and the footover bridge. The expert committee report will be the final report that will come tomorrow... Our role is to ensure that such incidents do not happen again..." 

#WATCH | Delhi | DCP Railway KPS Malhotra says, "...RPF and Delhi Police have made a combined arrangement...Dynamic arrangements have been made for the Special trains... Arrangements have been made at both the exit points and the footover bridge. The expert committee report will… pic.twitter.com/qkrMzqLKcz

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

According to sources, 15 people were admitted to LNJP hospital for treatment. All of them were discharged on Sunday.

In view of the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, railway stations in Prayagraj have been directed to ensure strict adherence to the previously issued protocols to prevent any untoward incident.

Chief PRO of North Central Railway, Shashikant Tripathi, told PTI, "We are ensuring strict implementation of the previously issued protocols. We have successfully conducted bathing rituals on Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami and the same protocols will continue in future as well." 

Under the protocols, entry is allowed from the city side and exit from the Civil Lines side at the Prayagraj Junction, and the passengers are kept in the holding area till the trains arrive at the platforms.

Railway Police Force inspector Shiv Kumar, who is posted at Prayagraj Junction, said the crowd at the railway station was under control.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and stressed on the need for careful planning and management for safety of people. At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the crowded railway station in the national capital.

"The tragic loss of 18 lives in the Delhi stampede is deeply heartbreaking. This painful incident highlights the importance of careful planning and management, especially when it comes to the safety of citizens," Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.

The tragic loss of 18 lives in the Delhi stampede is deeply heartbreaking. This painful incident highlights the importance of careful planning and management, especially when it comes to the safety of citizens.
Pilgrims on their way to the Maha Kumbh should have been met with…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 16, 2025

"Pilgrims on their way to the Maha Kumbh should have been met with proper support and facilities, not distress. It is essential to ensure that such journeys are safe and well-organised," she said.

The two-member committee formed to investigate the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station have started examining CCTV footage and collecting evidence, an official of the Indian Railways said on Sunday.

Principal Chief Commercial Manager (Narsingh DeoPCCM), Northern Railway, said, "...The two -member committee formed by the Railways have started the investigation. We are trying to understand all the evidence. We have also seen CCTV footage...we will also take statements from eyewitnesses. After examining all kinds of evidence, an investigation report will be prepared and given to the administration."

Meanwhile, earlier today a high-level meeting involving senior Delhi Police officials was held at the DCP Railways office in the national capital to discuss the initial inquiry report into the Februray 15 stampede incident.

The Delhi Police have also initiated inquest proceeding on the railway station stampede and the inquiry is being headed by a DCP rank officer.

Delhi Police have issued a clarification after witnesses claimed that a last-minute platform change announcement for the special train to Prayagraj caused panic before the deadly stampede.
According to the police, the arrival of another special train to Prayagraj - the Prayagraj Special - on platform number 16 confused the passengers waiting for the special train on platform number 14.

"The announcement of the Prayagraj Special arriving at Platform 16 led to confusion because the Prayagraj Express was already at Platform 14. People who could not reach their train at Platform 14 thought their train was arriving at Platform 16 leading to the stampede. Additionally, four other trains were heading to Prayagraj, out of which three were delayed, causing unexpected overcrowding," the police said.

Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and neighbouring cities continued to face massive traffic over the weekend as thousands of vehicles moved towards the city for the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which has so far attracted more than 50 crore devotees.

The Railway minister must resign or be sacked for 'mismanagement', said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate while addressing a press conference.

A stampede which unfolded at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night killed 18 and injured dozens. 

"The Railway minister must resign with immediate effect, taking moral responsibility for the incident. Else, he should be sacked in case he does not tender his resignation for the tragedy," she told reporters.

She said railway officials were well aware of how many people were entering the station and as many as 1500 tickets were being sold every hour.

Proper arrangements for crowd management should have been made. Unfortunately, no security forces were seen and the crowds had to manage themselves, which led to such a tragedy, she said.

She alleged there are two Hindustans in the country, where on one side the king helps make his friends take a bath at the Kumbh while common people are dying at the railway platform. She also pointed out the VIP culture prevalent at the Kumbh.

"We have only one and only demand from this platform. Keeping in view yesterday's incident which was a massacre, the Railway minister has no right to be in his position even for a minute.

"The Indian Railways and Indians cannot be left in the hands of such a minister. The Railway minister cannot be a person who is busy building his image and terming the death of people as small incidents and one who instead of offering condolences to the people, tries to hide the deaths of people," the Congress leader said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station and said authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.

"It was an unfortunate incident. Authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents don't happen in future," Mr Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur while responding to a question on the stampede.

A two-member committee constituted to probe the deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station inspected the site, spoke to witnesses and secured the CCTV footage on Sunday.

The committee comprising, Narsingh Deo, PCCM/Northern Railway, and Pankaj Gangwar, PCSC Northern Railway, ordered the securing of video footage of platforms 14 and 15 of the station where the massive crowd of passengers had gathered, hoping to board trains to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

On Sunday, the probe panel also inspected the tragedy site and started collecting statements from witnesses to corroborate it with the CCTV footage of the tragedy that killed 18 people and left dozens injured on Saturday night.

Sources said the probe panel is also mandated to investigate the possibility of the incident being triggered by rumours which forced waiting passengers to switch between the two platforms, resulting in the crushing of people on a staircase on platform 14.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) February 16, 2025

Several stations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are on alert after a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. At the Charbagh Railway Station, cops are carrying out inspection. They have prepared a list of trains going to Prayagraj and are brainstorming on arrangements to manage the crowd. They are also checking CCTV footage. Railways is witnessing a massive surge in footfalls in view of the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

The New Delhi Railway Station continued to witness a surge in crowd more than 12 hours after at least 18 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede.

More police personnel have now been deployed to the platforms and ropes are being used to regulate the crowds after the incident.

A crucial meeting of senior officials of Delhi Police is underway at the DCP (Railways) Office in New Delhi in wake of the stampede that killed 18 passengers at the New Delhi Railway Station last evneing. Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, Special Commissioner Robin Hibu, Special Commissioner Ravindra Yadav, and DCP (Railways) KPS Malhotra are present at the meeting. Joint Commissioner (Central Range), DCP Central, and other senior officials are also present at the control room set up at the New Delhi Railway Station. Delhi Police is expected to file an FIR in connection with the stampede soon. 

Railways has announced the names of two high administrative group officials, who will be part of the inquiry committee constituted to probe the stampede at the New Delhi Railway station.

Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Northern Railway are the members of the committee.

The committee, which has commenced its inquiry, gave orders to secure all video footage of the New Delhi Railway Station.

A majority of the victims who sustained injuries in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede have suffered lower limb injuries while others suffered from bone injuries, news agency ANI reported quoting sources. The injured admitted to the LNJP hospital in the national capital have been discharged by the doctors after primary treatment. A team of 15 doctors is currently taking care of the injured patients. The stampde on the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night occured when thousands of devotees were headed for the Maha Kumbh 2025.

Parvesh Verma, the MLA from New Delhi constituency who defeated Arvind Kejriwal in the recent elections, met some of the people injured in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station last night. Sharing photos online, he said he enquired about their well-being and adequate help is being provided by the administration. "In this difficult time, we stand with the victims of the accident and their families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

"The death of passengers during the stampede last night at the New Delhi railway station is sad. We pray to God for the peace of the soul of the passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. This accident is the result of the negligence of the Ministry of Railways. It is a pity that no care is being taken for the precious lives of people in the capital of the country" - Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister, Punjab

Footwear, clothes and personal belongings of victims were strewn across platforms, escalators and the railway overbridge after a stampede late on Saturday.

The LNJP hospital, where injured people are being treated, has released two helpline numbers: +919873617028 and 011-23501207.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has arrived to meet Home Minister Amit Shah amid opposition fire over the deadly stampede that killed 18 people at New Delhi Railway Station yesterday. The Railway Minister is expected to brief the Home Minister over the stampede.

 Among the victims were nine people from Bihar, eight from Delhi and one from Haryana.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha has slammed the railway authorities over lack of crowd control measures after a stampede killed at least 18 people at the New Delhi Railway Station yesterday. Condoling the deaths, he claimed the government had ignored him when he raised the need for better management protocols at stations in the Parliament last week.

Here's the full text of his remark: "The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has shaken us all. Several innocent lives have been lost, including women and children. This disaster is a glaring example of gross mismanagement and lack of crowd control measures. On February 11, I had raised this issue in Parliament, warning about the urgent need for better management protocols at railway stations, but the government ignored it. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Those responsible must be held accountable, and immediate reforms are necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future."

Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay has said that at the time of incident, the Patna-bound Magadh Express was standing at platform number 14 and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was stationed at platform number 15.

"Some people who were coming down from the footover bridge towards platform numbers 14 and 15 using stairs slipped and fell on others," he said on the cause of the stampede.

After a devastating stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station led to 18 deaths last night, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the Centre and the Railways.

"The tragic death of the devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and painful. May God give peace to their souls. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the accident" - Arvind Kejriwal, former chief minister, Delhi 

A man had to carry the body of his sister across railway tracks over an hour after stampede, as the situation remained out of control at the New Delhi Railway Station. A vendor in the station premises said he had never seen such a crowd in 26 years, while an Indian Air Force sergeant said authorities remained helpless as crowds refused to pay heed to instructions regarding overcrowding the trains and platforms.

The victims of the New Delhi Railway Station stampede have been identified, with nine being from Bihar, eight from Delhi and one from Haryana.

Full list of victims:

Suruchi daughter (11 years) Manoj Shah resident Muzaffarpur, Bihar 

Krishna Devi (40 years) wife Vijay Shah resident Samastipur, Bihar

Vijay Sah (15 years) son Ram Sarup Sah resident Samastipur, Bihar

Neeraj (12 years) son Indrajit Paswan resident Vaishali, Bihar

Shanti Devi (40 years) wife Raj Kumar Manjhi resident Nawada, Bihar

Pooja Kumar (8 years) daughter Raj Kumar Manjhi resident Nawada, Bihar

Sangeeta Malik (34 years) wife Mohit Malik resident Bhiwani, Haryana

Poonam (34 years) wife Virendra Singh resident Mahavir Enclave, Delhi

 Mamta Jha (40 years) wife Vipin Jha resident Nangloi, Delhi

 Riya Singh (7 years) daughter Opil Singh resident Sagarpur, Delhi

 Baby Kumari (24 years) daughter Prabhu Sah resident Bijwasan, Delhi

 Manoj (47 years) son Panchdev Kushwaha resident Nangloi, Delhi

Aha Devi (79 years) wife Ravindi Nath resident Buxar, Bihar 

Pinky Devi (41 years) wife Upendra Sharma resident Sangam Vihar, Delhi

Sheela Devi (50 years) wife Umesh Giri resident Sarita Vihar, Delhi

Vyom (25 years) son Dharamvir resident Bawana, Delhi

Poonam Devi (40 years) wife Meghnath resident Saran, Bihar

Lalita Devi (35 years) wife Santosh resident Parana, Bihar

Speaking about the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, a porter (coolie) said he has been working since 1981, but had "never seen" such a crowd before.

"There were only shoes and clothes on the platform," he told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi railway station | A porter (coolie) at the railway station says "I have been working as a coolie since 1981, but I never saw a crowd like this before. Prayagraj Special was supposed to leave from platform number 12, but it was shifted to platform… pic.twitter.com/cn2S7RjsdO

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

Delays in train departures and the sale of around 1,500 general tickets exacerbated the situation and contributed to the overwhelming crowd at New Delhi Railway station.

Congress leader KC Venugopal has called the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station - which resulted in 18 deaths - "shocking and deeply tragic". "The visuals that have come out are scary, and point to a massive calamity. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said and went on to attack the central government. "This kind of a disaster taking place in the national capital, under the direct watch of the Central Government, shows that the government is utterly incompetent and is only capable of PR, not actual management." He alleged that the government has tried to downplay the situation and sought to know when the casualty figures will be announced. "Why were crowd control measures not in place? Why did the railways not run special trains when they knew this crowd was to be anticipated in light of the Mahakumbh?" he sought to know.

Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has slammed the government and the Railways after 18 people died in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. Condoling the deaths and wishing speedy recovery of the injured, he said that the Railways should have made better arrangements at station considering the rush of devotees.

Here's the full text of Mr Gandhi's post:

"The news of several people dying and many getting injured due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and distressing. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence."

"The news of the death of many people including women and children in the stampede due to crowd at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured" - Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress MP

Multiple videos have emerged showing crowds pouring over each other at the New Delhi Railway Station before a stampede killed at least 18 people and injured dozens on Saturday night. The rush at the station broke out as crowds struggled to board trains for Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh, which has so far attracted more than 50 crore devotees.

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi railway station | At LNJP hospital, the brother of one of the victims, Sanjay says, "We were 12 people going to Maha Kumbh. We hadn't even reached the platform but were at the stairs... My family, including my sister were stuck in the crowd. We… pic.twitter.com/YzcnurcmdO

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

A financial aid of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for the families of the victims of the New Delhi Railway Station stampede.

Rs 2.5 lakh assistance has also been announced for those seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for people with minor injuries.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday had urged the Uttar Pradesh government to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh, citing the overwhelming number of devotees on the roads still hoping to attend.

Speaking to the news agency ANI about Delhi stampede, a witness, an Indian Air Force (IAF) sergeant, said, "We have a tri-service office at the railway station. When I was returning after my duty, I couldn't go as there was a huge crowd... I tried to convince people and also made announcements appealing to people to avoid gathering on the platform in large numbers. The administration was working hard to prevent any mishap, but no one was listening... I also helped the injured people with the help of one of my friends."

"Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured," President Droupadi Murmu has said in a post on X.

Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 16, 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS).

"The loss of lives in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heartbreaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow and speedy recovery to the injured," he posted on X.

नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर हादसे में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।
मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिवारों के साथ हैं।
प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं को सद्गति, शोकाकुल परिजनों को यह अथाह दुःख सहन करने की शक्ति एवं घायलों को शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 15, 2025

"The crowd was beyond the limit, people were gathered at the (foot over) bridge... Such a huge crowd wasn't expected. I have never seen such a massive crowd at the railway station, even during the festivals," a witness told the news agency ANI after stampede at the New Delhi railway station.

#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi railway station | An eyewitness says, "The crowd was beyond the limit, people were gathered at the (foot over) bridge... Such a huge crowd wasn't expected. I have never seen such a massive crowd at the railway station, even during the festivals.… pic.twitter.com/Ht6xJjNPpc

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

Visuals from platform number 14 - one of the platforms at New Delhi Railway Station, where a stampede broke out yesterday, leaving 15 people dead and several others injured.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from platform number 14 - one of the platforms at New Delhi Railway Station, where a stampede broke out at 10 PM, yesterday, leaving 15 people dead and several others injured pic.twitter.com/WQBeoef0Le

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed grief at the death of people in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station. "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," he said.

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 Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, after visiting the New Delhi Railway Station stampede victim, said the "situation at the station is under control now".

"Those injured are receiving treatment at the hospital. Delhi police are at the railway station. Trains movements are normal now," he said.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity (ED/IP), Railway Board has said a two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter.

#WATCH | Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP), Railway Board, says, "The number of passengers was relatively very high today at the New Delhi railway station, and so we ran four more special trains. We received information that a few people fainted -… pic.twitter.com/q3L8zBgExo

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025

Union Minister Amit Shah has said he has spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Delhi Police over the incident and given directions to provide all possible help to those affected.

"I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The injured are being given all possible treatment. I wish them a speedy recovery," he wrote on X.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has reached the LNJP hospital to where the stampede victims were rushed to.

#WATCH | Delhi LG VK Saxena arrives at the hospital where those injured in the stampede that occurred at New Delhi railway station are admitted pic.twitter.com/9lafURpoNW

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of lives" at the accident at the New Delhi Railway Station.

Shocking incident at New Delhi Railway Station. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 15, 2025

Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi slammed the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the alleged lack of arrangements for devotees going for the Maha Kumbh. 

"Such an incident is very sad. Neither the central government nor the Uttar Pradesh government are concerned about the safety of the people. There are no arrangements in Prayagraj nor are there any concrete traffic arrangements for the devotees coming from different states of the country. I request the railway department to provide help to the people as soon as possible," she said in a post in Hindi on X. 

महाकुंभ के लिए जा रहे श्रद्धालुओं के साथ इस तरह की घटना बेहद दुखद है। लोगों की सुरक्षा की ना केंद्र सरकार को कोई फ़िक्र है और ना ही आगे यूपी सरकार को। ना प्रयागराज में कोई व्यवस्थाएं हैं और ना ही देश के अलग-अलग राज्यों से आने वाले श्रद्धालुओं के लिए यातायात के कोई ठोस इंतज़ाम… https://t.co/19myteukSU

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 15, 2025

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "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."

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

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station.

High-level inquiry ordered https://t.co/Egaifp5Onx

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025

Deputy commissioner of police (railway) said many people were present on platform number 14 when the Prayagraj Express train was standing at the platform. The Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platform numbers 12, 13 and 14, the official said in a statement. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured," Mr Singh said in a post on X.

Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 15, 2025

At least 15 people were killed and several were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, caused by a sudden rush of passengers who tried to board trains for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.