Delhi Railway station stampede: A tragic incident occurred on the night of February 15, 2025, at the New Delhi Railway Station when a stampede resulted in the death of at least 18 people, with more than a dozen others injured. The chaos unfolded on platforms 14 and 15, where large crowds of passengers were gathered, waiting to board trains bound for Prayagraj to attend the ongoing Maha Kumbh.
Delhi’s Acting Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that 15 individuals were declared dead upon arrival at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in central Delhi. Among the victims were 14 women, and five of the deceased were minors, including two children under the age of 10.
Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg mentioned that while the exact cause of the stampede remained unclear, initial reports indicated that the cancellation of two Prayagraj-bound trains worsened the overcrowding, triggering confusion and panic. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-Railway), approximately 1,500 general tickets were being sold per hour, which led to an uncontrollable situation on the platforms. The stampede occurred near platform 14 and the escalator near platform 16.
An IAF sergeant who witnessed the incident described the horror of the situation. Despite repeated announcements urging people to avoid crowding, the situation escalated as the administration struggled to manage the surge of passengers.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, condemning the incident and offering his thoughts to those who lost their loved ones. He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured and assured that authorities were taking action to assist those affected.
On February 15, 2025, the Congress party accused the government of attempting to conceal the full extent of the deaths and highlighted the failures of the Railway system and the government’s insensitivity towards the issue.
Delhi’s former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal expressed his sorrow over the tragic deaths, offering his condolences to the families of the victims. Kejriwal called the incident deeply painful, especially as the victims were on their way to the Maha Kumbh, and prayed for their souls to rest in peace.
The Indian Railways announced compensation for the victims of the stampede. Families of those who lost their lives will receive ₹10 lakh, while those seriously injured will receive ₹2.5 lakh, and those with minor injuries will be given ₹1 lakh.
Former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also weighed in on the incident, blaming poor railway management for the stampede. He offered his condolences to the victims and criticized the Railway authorities for the loss of lives, calling for the Railway Minister to take responsibility for the mishap. When asked about crowd management at the Maha Kumbh, Yadav dismissed it as unnecessary and meaningless.
This devastating tragedy has sparked widespread condemnation of railway mismanagement and raised serious concerns over the handling of overcrowded public spaces.