At least 15 people killed in stampede at Indian railway station

(CLO) At least 15 people were killed and 15 others injured in a stampede at the main railway station in the Indian capital New Delhi on Saturday evening.

The accident occurred as crowds jostled to board trains to attend the Kumbh Mela religious festival.

Indian people participate in the Kumbh Mela festival. Photo: X

The incident occurred at around 8pm (local time) on February 15 at two railway stations in the capital New Delhi. Thousands of pilgrims were arriving to catch trains to Prayagraj city, where the sacred Kumbh Mela river bathing festival was taking place.

"We have confirmed 15 deaths at the hospital. The victims did not have open wounds, most likely they died due to suffocation or blunt trauma. The final conclusion will be reached after the post-mortem examination," said Dr Ritu Saxena from Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi.

According to local media, most of the victims were women and children. In addition, 15 others were injured and are being treated.

"Crowds ran through the platforms in chaos, causing many people to fall and be trampled," a witness said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy: "I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery."

Delhi Chief Minister Vinai Kumar Saxena has deployed disaster response teams and asked all hospitals to be ready to receive emergency cases. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government has sent special trains from New Delhi to ease the pressure at the railway station.

After the incident, the situation was brought under control and the Indian authorities opened an investigation to clarify the cause of the stampede.

The Kumbh Mela, which means “festival of the sacred water pot” in Hindi, is held at the confluence of three sacred rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati. The main ritual of the event is a mass bath in the sacred waters, and many pilgrims trek for weeks to reach the site.

This is one of the most important festivals of Hinduism, occurring every 12 years. The Kumbh Mela 2025 will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from January 13 to February 26, with an estimated 500 million devotees attending. Previously, on January 29, another stampede at this festival left at least 30 people dead.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters, IndiaTimes)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/it-nhat-15-nguoi-thiet-mang-trong-vu-giam-dap-o-nha-ga-an-do-post334725.html