Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Kills 18, Highlights Safety Failures

A tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station resulted in at least 18 fatalities and many injuries as devotees rushed to catch trains for the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj. The incident, which occurred late Saturday night, was exacerbated by overcrowding and confusion over platform changes, leading to chaos and a surge of people. Authorities confirmed that most victims were women and children, with many suffering from asphyxia and blunt injuries. Criticism has mounted against railway officials for inadequate crowd management during such a large event, prompting a high-level inquiry into the disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and emphasized the need for improved safety measures. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also called for better planning to prevent future tragedies during peak travel seasons.