15 dead in India stampede to catch trains to Hindu mega-festival

At least 15 people lost their lives in a stampede at a railway station in India's capital, New Delhi, late Saturday night. The tragedy occurred as large crowds rushed to board trains heading toward the ongoing Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering.

The Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years in the northern city of Prayagraj, draws tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims. Due to the sheer number of attendees, the event has a history of crowd-related disasters. Just last month, another stampede at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people.

Authorities believe the chaos at the train station erupted as devotees scrambled to secure seats on the overcrowded trains bound for the festival. The event is set to conclude on February 26, further intensifying the rush of pilgrims trying to reach Prayagraj.

Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent at Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi, confirmed that 15 people were pronounced dead at the hospital. She noted that the victims did not appear to have suffered external injuries. "Most likely, they died from hypoxia or possibly blunt force trauma, but that will only be confirmed after autopsies," she stated. In addition to the fatalities, 11 other individuals were reported injured, with most sustaining orthopedic injuries. Fortunately, their conditions are stable.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, stating that he was "distressed" by the loss of lives. "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Vinai Kumar Saxena, the governor of Delhi, announced that disaster management teams had been deployed to assist with the situation, and all hospitals had been placed on high alert to handle any further emergencies. Meanwhile, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that additional special trains were being arranged from New Delhi to help clear the overwhelming rush of passengers.

The ongoing Kumbh Mela, which spans six weeks, is the most significant religious event in the Hindu calendar. Officials estimate that approximately 500 million devotees have already participated in the festival since it began last month.

The Kumbh Mela has seen multiple tragedies in the past due to massive crowds. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 1954 when more than 400 people lost their lives in a single day after being trampled or drowning in the river. In a more recent tragedy, 36 people were crushed to death in 2013, the last time the festival was held in Prayagraj.