On Saturday night (15th January 2025), at least 18 people lost their lives in the tragic New Delhi Railway station stampede with more than 25 others suffering serious injuries. The deceased includes 14 women and 3 children. The death count has been confirmed by the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.
The accident took place between platform numbers 13, 14 and 15. Notably, overcrowding was being reported at the station since evening as passengers surged to take part in the ongoing Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. On top of that, trains got delayed which worsened the situation.
However, blaming overcrowding as the sole reason for the stampede presents an incomplete truth—this is precisely what the statements of several eyewitnesses and injured persons indicate.
One of the injured passengers is Shivam Shukla. His friend Ayush died in the tragic stampede at New Delhi station. He was stuck near the railing. He survived the stampede but he suffered a severe injury to his hand, with possibility of fracture, in the ensuing pandemonium.
Rumours spread after some raised Allah Hu Akbar slogans
Shivam, who lost his friend in the accident, is a resident of Banaras and was going back to his home on the weekend. He was waiting for the Swatantrata Senani Express at New Delhi station. Some people were raising chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while some were chanting ‘Allah Hu Akbar’. After this, some people said that the platform of the train has been changed.
“Some people started shouting Allahu Akbar on platform & pushing all of us. My friend Ayush died & my hand is badly bruised”
Horrific facts by eye witness Shivam Shukla 😥#Delhi #trainaccident pic.twitter.com/mTy5YCqDDi
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) February 16, 2025
Adding that he was present there, Shivam said that he did not hear the announcement for the change in the train’s arriving platform. Someone had spread a rumor. Shivam has also said that there was a conspiracy in the accident that happened at New Delhi station. He also said that Kumbh is being defamed.
The platform was not changed
From social media to media, the initial reason being attributed for this incident is said to be the change of arriving train’s platform. However, eyewitnesses and railway officials have denied this. A person running a shop at New Delhi station, while talking to ANI, said, “The stampede happened around 9:30 pm, people present on platform number 13 saw trains on platform 14 and 15, so they moved towards these platforms. The platforms of the trains were not changed, but the crowd was so huge that it could not be controlled.”
#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station | An eyewitness, Ravi says, “The stampede broke out around 9:30 pm… When people on platform number 13 saw trains on platforms 14 and 15 – they moved towards these platforms. The platforms of the trains were not changed, but the… pic.twitter.com/hPO61B58Lx
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025
Also Read: Stampede: Over 2,400 died in one of the World’s deadliest Hajj pilgrimage tragedies
The New Delhi Station stampede happened due to the fall of a passenger, says Railway’s Official statement
#WATCH | Delhi: Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, says, “When this tragic incident took place yesterday, at that time, Magadh Express going towards Patna was standing on platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station, and Uttar… pic.twitter.com/ftT109EvLm
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025
North Railway official Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said, “When this tragic incident happened, the Magadh Express going towards Patna was standing on platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station and the Uttar Sampark Kranti going towards Jammu was standing on platform number 15. During this time, a passenger coming towards platform 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs. After this, many other passengers also went and this tragic incident happened. No train was cancelled, nor was any change made in the platform. A high-level investigation is being conducted into the incident.”
Meanwhile, according to the Delhi Police, similar train names caused confusion which led to deadly stampede yesterday night. The Delhi Police said that two trains – Prayagraj Express and Prayagraj Special, and the announcement of the latter arriving at platform 16 caused confusion. This is because Prayagraj Express was already standing at platform 14.
