A nighttime stampede at New Delhi’s main railway station left at least 15 dead and 15 injured on Saturday, sparking nationwide grief and highlighting recurring safety challenges in crowded public spaces. Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital territory, confirmed the casualties in an early Sunday press briefing, as rescue teams worked to clear the scene.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as '‘deeply distressing’' in a social media post, pledging full support for affected families. '‘Authorities are mobilizing all resources to assist victims,’' he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos near platforms serving long-distance routes, though official investigations into the stampede’s cause remain ongoing. Railway officials noted that weekend travel peaks and repair work limiting platform access may have contributed to overcrowding.
This tragedy follows similar incidents in recent years, including a 2011 stampede in Kerala that killed over 100 pilgrims. Urban infrastructure strains across India’s megacities continue to raise questions about safety protocols as populations grow.
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At least 15 dead after stampede at New Delhi railway station
cgtn.com
