Deadly Crowd Crush at Delhi Railway Station Claims 18 Lives

INIndia|

At least 18 people have died in a crowd crush at a railway station in Delhi, India, as thousands scrambled to board trains heading to the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, according to officials. The incident occurred on Saturday as devotees rushed for trains to Prayagraj, where the event runs until February 26.

Reports indicate that of the fatalities, 10 were women and three were children. Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent at Lok Nayak hospital in Delhi, confirmed 15 deaths at their facility due to asphyxiation and blunt injuries, pending autopsy results. An additional 11 individuals sustained injuries, most of which were orthopaedic.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes when a platform for a special train was suddenly repositioned, leading to collisions on escalators and stairs. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a "high-level inquiry" into the incident and promised more special trains to accommodate the influx of devotees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and emphasized support for those affected.

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, has a history of deadly crowd-related disasters, with significant fatalities recorded in past events.

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