Crowds and chaos are not unusual at train stations in India. Millions rely on the railway system every day.
But sometimes, these crowded spaces turn dangerous. A tragic stampede at a railway station in New Delhi has left at least 18 people dead and many others injured. Most of the victims were women, reports Ukrinform.
The stampede happened on Saturday evening. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims were at the station, trying to board trains heading to the Maha Kumbh festival in northern India.
Delays had already created a packed environment. Then, a last-minute change in platform numbers forced large groups to move suddenly.
As passengers rushed across a pedestrian bridge, the situation turned deadly. People lost their balance, and those at the front fell onto the crowd below.
Panic spread quickly. Witnesses described a scene of chaos, saying no one could stop the crowd once the crush began.
Emergency services arrived, but the damage was already done. Dozens of injured passengers were taken to local hospitals. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the disaster.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. He offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He also assured that officials are providing help to those affected.
This is not the first time a religious gathering has turned deadly. In late January, a stampede during rituals at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival killed at least 30 people and injured 60 more.
Large crowds, poor crowd control, and sudden changes often create dangerous situations at major events in India.
Stampedes like this raise serious questions about safety measures in crowded public spaces.
Authorities will need to assess what went wrong and how future tragedies can be prevented.
For now, families are left mourning their loved ones, and survivors are recovering from the terrifying ordeal.
