7-Year-Old Child Among the at Least 18 People Killed in Stampede at Train Station: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

At least 18 people have died in a stampede in India, according to multiple news outlets.

The stampede occurred on two platforms at a New Delhi railway station at around 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, Feb. 15, as thousands of people queued to board trains to Prayagraj, theAssociated PressandNBC Newsreported.

The victims included 14 women and a 7-year-old child, according to the outlets. More than a dozen others were also reportedly injured.

New Delhi Railway station.Imtiyaz Khan/Anadolu via Getty

Imtiyaz Khan/Anadolu via Getty

Many of those gathered at the train station were traveling to the Hindu Pilgrimage Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, AP and NBC News reported, citing the Press Trust of India news agency.

Sheela Devi, whose daughter-in-law died in the incident, told the outlet that an announcement about a change of train platforms allegedly sparked the stampede as passengers grew confused.

Passengers jostle with each other to board a train at the New Delhi Railway station in India, on Feb. 16.Imtiyaz Khan/Anadolu via Getty

“There was a sea of humanity at the railway station and the crowd surged towards the train going to Prayagraj," one witness told NBC News. “I lost my belongings and barely survived.”

Atishi, the chief minister of Delhi,confirmedon X that the injured were transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital (LNJP) in New Delhi as she called the incident “sad and heartbreaking.”

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“LNJP reached the hospital and met the families of the victims. Many people are also injured, whose treatment is going on. Two of our MLAs are present in the hospital to help the victim families,” she wrote.

“My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. May God give everyone the strength to bear this sorrow,” she added.

Passengers gather at the New Delhi Railway station on Feb. 16.Imtiyaz Khan/Anadolu via Getty

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnawreportedon X after the incident on Saturday that the situation was “under control” at the station and that Delhi Police and Railway Protection Force had “reached” the scene.

Just weeks earlier, dozens of people were killed at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival on Jan. 28.

source: people.com