A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in 15 deaths and numerous injuries as pilgrims sought to board delayed trains for the Kumbh Mela. The festival, which draws over 400 million participants, poses significant safety challenges amidst its scale.
15 Lives Lost in Kumbh Mela Stampede at New Delhi Station
15 Lives Lost in Kumbh Mela Stampede at New Delhi Station
A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station claims the lives of 15 Hindu pilgrims as they rush for the Kumbh Mela festival, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
Fifteen individuals tragically lost their lives on Saturday due to a stampede at New Delhi’s main railway station as a large number of pilgrims flocked to attend the Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu festival globally. According to reports from local media, the caretaker chief minister of the Delhi region, Atishi, confirmed that an additional 15 people sustained injuries in the chaos that ensued when hurried passengers jostled for space on the trains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow for the victims on social media, emphasizing that authorities are providing necessary assistance to those impacted by the tragedy. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances leading to the stampede.
Increasing pressures at the railway station were attributed to delays in trains scheduled to the Kumbh Mela, which began in mid-January and is set to conclude by the end of this month. To manage the surge in pilgrims, the Ministry of Railways has since added extra trains to facilitate transportation.
The Kumbh Mela, a significant spiritual gathering held once every three years in varying locations, is currently taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, attracting an estimated 400 million attendees over a six-week period. Devotees traditionally believe that bathing in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers—where a third mythical river, Saraswati, is said to join—is purifying and can absolve them of sins.
This year’s Kumbh Mela is notably larger as it coincides with a rare celestial alignment occurring once every 144 years. However, the immense crowds pose perpetual challenges for safety in organizing the event. Last month, the festival witnessed another tragic incident where 30 pilgrims lost their lives in a stampede during the ritual bathing period. Previously, the 2013 Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj reported 42 fatalities due to similar circumstances, while the Nasik event in 2005 experienced 39 casualties.
Since the festival's inception following India’s independence, there have been numerous instances of fatalities due to crowd density and management challenges, prompting ongoing concerns regarding crowd control at such massive gatherings.
