New Delhi [India]: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, describing the incident as “extremely sad and distressing.”
In a post on X, he extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर भगदड़ मचने से कई लोगों की मृत्यु और कईयों के घायल होने की ख़बर अत्यंत दुखद और व्यथित करने वाली है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 16, 2025
शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।
यह घटना एक बार फिर रेलवे की नाकामी और सरकार…
“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,” he stated.
Details of the Incident
The stampede, which occurred at 10 PM on Saturday, resulted in 18 fatalities and left many others injured. The chaos unfolded as thousands of devotees crowded the station to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival.
According to the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railways, the tragic event was triggered when a passenger lost balance and slipped on the stairs leading to platforms 14 and 15, causing a chain reaction where several others fell, leading to the deadly stampede.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Aaha 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 Kumar, 8, Sangeeta Malik, 34, Poonam, 34, Mamta Jha, 40, Riya Singh, 7, Baby Kumari, 24, and Manoj, 47.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation
NDRF Commandant Daulat Ram Chaudhary confirmed that the situation is now under control, and rescue operations have been completed.
“The injured have been evacuated… We received information about a stampede at platform no. 14… We are carrying out the rescue operations,” he said.
Railway officials and law enforcement cited delays in the departures of the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani as key factors contributing to overcrowding at platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Meanwhile, the Railway Board has announced the formation of a two-member high-level committee to investigate the cause of the stampede and recommend preventive measures.
“A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter… The situation is under control, and the passengers have been sent by special train. Train movement at the railway station is now normal,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP), Railway Board.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns over public safety measures at railway stations, particularly during large-scale religious gatherings. Calls for improved crowd management and better railway infrastructure are growing in the wake of the incident.