15 Pilgrims Die in New Delhi Railway Station Stampede Amid Kumbh Mela Rush

Fifteen Hindu pilgrims lost their lives and another fifteen were injured in a stampede at New Delhi's main railway station, prompted by overwhelming crowds attempting to attend the Kumbh Mela—a major Hindu festival.

On Saturday, a devastating stampede claimed the lives of fifteen individuals at New Delhi Railway Station as an influx of pilgrims surged in for the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious festival in the world. Caretaker chief minister Atishi stated that fifteen people were injured in addition to those who died, according to local media sources.

In a heartfelt social media statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the victims and assured the public that authorities were mobilizing efforts to assist those impacted by this tragic event. Following the chaos, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the railroads minister, announced that an investigation into the stampede had been initiated.

Reports indicated that crowds at the railway station had increased significantly due to delays in trains scheduled to transport attendees to the ongoing Kumbh Mela. In response, the Ministry of Railways later announced the operation of extra trains to manage the overwhelming number of passengers.

The Kumbh Mela, which started mid-January and will conclude at the end of this month, is anticipated to draw over 400 million attendees during its six weeks, according to government projections. This year's event is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the sacred confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where many Hindus believe a mythical third river, the Saraswati, joins them.

Devotees also participate in ritual baths at this holy site, which they believe cleanse them of their sins. This year's gathering is termed a Maha Kumbh, or Great Kumbh, due to a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years, resulting in even greater attendance.

Managing such vast crowds poses an ongoing challenge for Indian authorities. Just last month, a stampede at the festival resulted in the deaths of thirty pilgrims, while in 2013, a prior Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj saw forty-two lives lost in a similar incident at the train station. History has shown that crowd control during this significant event is critical, with tragic incidents dating back to the festival’s early years post-Independence, when hundreds died in a stampede in 1954.