A stampede at New Delhi’s main railway station left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured, a senior police official said on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. local time on Saturday as passengers crowded two platforms while waiting for trains to Prayagraj, where the Hindu Maha Kumbh festival is being held.
A station porter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the chaos began after an announcement directed passengers to switch platforms for an incoming train.
“The crowd on Platform 12 started rushing toward Platform 16, which was already packed,” the porter said.
Umesh Giri, a festival attendee, described the moment panic set in.
“We were going downstairs to Platform 14 when the stampede broke out,” he said. “The crowd started pushing, and people were falling over us.” Giri said his wife was among those who died in the crush.
Authorities have not yet provided details on what led to the platform change or whether safety measures were in place to manage the large crowds.
