Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Leaves 18 Dead
Crowds Rush to Attend Kumbh Mela, India’s Largest Religious Gathering
Key Points:
- Stampede at Train Station:
- A stampede broke out at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday as crowds surged to board trains heading to the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering.
- At least 18 people died, and 11 others were injured in the incident.
- Cause of Death:
- Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital, confirmed that most victims likely died from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) or blunt injuries.
- Autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
- Injured Victims:
- The injured are reported to be in stable condition, with most suffering from orthopedic injuries.
- Prime Minister’s Response:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
- He assured that authorities are providing assistance to those affected.
- Authorities’ Actions:
- Delhi Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena directed disaster management teams to deploy and ensured hospitals were prepared to handle emergencies.
- Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced additional special trains to manage the rush of devotees.
- Kumbh Mela Context:
- The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, attracts tens of millions of Hindu devotees.
- The ongoing event, which began last month, will conclude on February 26.
- History of Stampedes:
- Last month, at least 30 people died in a stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
- The festival has a history of crowd-related disasters, including a 1954 incident where over 400 people died, and a 2013 stampede that claimed 36 lives.
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station highlights the challenges of managing large crowds during major religious events like the Kumbh Mela. Authorities are working to address the situation and prevent further tragedies, but the incident underscores the need for improved crowd control and safety measures at such gatherings.