A chaotic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday left at least 18 dead—including 11 women and five children—and over a dozen injured as crowds rushed to board trains bound for the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage in Prayagraj. The Indian Ministry of Railways confirmed a high-level inquiry into the incident, calling it "unfortunate."
What Sparked the Chaos? 🚨
Witnesses described a sudden surge of passengers scrambling to secure seats for the massive Hindu gathering, which draws millions to the Ganges River. With overcrowded platforms and limited train availability, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Authorities Respond 🩺
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), vowing support for affected families and emphasizing efforts to aid recovery for the injured. Local officials have deployed additional medical teams and crowd-control measures to prevent further incidents.
The tragedy has reignited debates about infrastructure safety during India's large-scale religious events, with many calling for stricter crowd management protocols. As investigations continue, the nation mourns a heartbreaking loss of life during what should have been a spiritual journey. 💔
