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New Delhi – Delhi Police have launched an investigation into the deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, which left 18 people dead and over a dozen injured on Saturday night. Officials said they are analyzing CCTV footage and station announcements to determine the sequence of events that triggered the chaos.
"Our priority is to uncover the exact cause of the stampede. We are collecting all available data, including CCTV footage and audio announcements made at the time," a senior police official stated.
Possible Cause: Confusion Over Platform Change
According to initial findings, a wrong announcement about a platform change may have caused widespread confusion, leading to panic among passengers. The disaster unfolded on platforms 14 and 15, where thousands of passengers had gathered to board trains to Prayagraj, the site of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.
Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that 18 people lost their lives, including 14 women. Among the deceased were five minors, two of whom were under the age of 10.
"Nearly 15 people are injured and are currently receiving treatment at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital," Atishi said, adding that security has been tightened at the hospital to manage the situation.
Overcrowding and Poor Crowd Management Under Scrutiny
Preliminary investigations suggest that overcrowding, worsened by train delays, played a significant role in the tragedy. Authorities are now probing whether lapses in crowd management contributed to the stampede.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who visited LNJP Hospital, has instructed senior officials to accelerate relief operations. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu and several political leaders have extended their condolences to the families of the victims.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.
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