Feb. 15 (UPI) — Rail passengers in New Delhi, India, caused a stampede that killed at least 15 Saturday night while trying to board a train heading to the world’s largest religious gathering.
The deadly stampede occurred at about 8 p.m. Saturday as crowds of people surged forward to board a train heading to the Maha Kumbh Hindu festival that occurs every 12 years in Prayagraj, India, NDTV reported.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is “distressed” by the stampede.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones,” Modi said in a post on X. “I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery.”
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
Modi said local authorities are assisting all who have been affected by the stampede.
The stampeded occurred when a railway station worker announced a special train bound for the Maha Kumbh festival was accepting passengers, The Times of India reported.
The stampede lasted about 15 minutes and caused multiple casualties.
The Delhi Fire Service dispatched four fire tenders to the railway station after receiving a call for help.
The Railway Protection Force and Delhi Police transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment, but at least 15 were reported dead.
India’s Ministry of Railways said a “high-level” investigation of the tragedy has been ordered.
A local deputy commissioner of police in a prepared statement said the rail station’s platform 14 had many people readying to board the Prayagraj Express train.
The nearby platforms 12 and 13 also were full of passengers awaiting two other express trains that had been delayed.
The sudden rush of people to platform 14 caused many passengers to suffocate and pass out.
Delhi Lt. Gov. VK Saxena visited the railway station and afterward said all victims are receiving medical treatment, the station is under control and trains are running normally, NDTV reported.