Deadly Stampede at Indian Festival: 18 killed, Many Injured

At least 18 people lost their lives, and several others were injured in a devastating stampede at a railway station in India’s capital, New Delhi. The tragedy occurred on Saturday as massive crowds struggled to board trains heading to the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious.

According to eyewitnesses, the stampede broke out when the platform for a special train departing for Prayagraj was suddenly shifted, causing people to collide and fall on the escalator and stairs.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a “high-level inquiry” into the causes of the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The Kumbh Mela has a history of crowd-related disasters, including a 1954 incident that claimed over 400 lives and a 2013 stampede that killed 36 people.

Despite the tragedy, preparations for the ongoing Kumbh Mela festival continue, with officials reporting that around 500 million devotees have already visited the festival since it began last month.