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

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

The stampede occurred on two platforms at a New Delhi railway station at around 8:00 P.M. local time on Saturday, Feb. 15, as thousands of people queued to board trains to Prayagraj city, the Associated Press and NBC News reported.

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

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

Authorities said that the stampede happened after people “slipped and fell on others while coming down from a footbridge that connects train platforms,” per AP. 

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. 

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

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Atishi, the chief minister of the national capital territory, confirmed on X that the injured were transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital in New Delhi as she called the incident “sad and heartbreaking.”

“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,” the chief minister 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. 

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

He wrote in a later post, “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.”

This tragic incident comes after at least 30 people were killed at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival on Jan. 28.