Quotes
People started colliding and fell on the escalator and stairs
the porter said
I have been working as a coolie since 1981, but I never saw a crowd like this before,
the Times of India newspaper quoted a porter at the railway station as sayingThe loss of lives in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heart-breaking
In a post on X in Hindi late Saturday night, he said
Our main focus is to determine the primary cause that triggered the stampede. We will analyze all available data, including CCTV footage and announcements made during that time,
a senior police official told news agency PTI
How many derailments, accidents, stampedes, lives lost, passenger fare raised, passenger having to travel in inhuman way will it take to become the right time for seeking accountability?”
she askedThis is what needs to be done instead: 1. Appointing an independent, judicially-monitored SIT to investigate the tragedy, 2. An independent inquiry into the systemic failures of the Indian Railways. Indian Railways is a lifeline for millions of Indians; it does not deserve the Modi government's mismanagement,
he saidDue to the grave negligence of the railway, amidst the crowd that gathered at New Delhi Railway Station to go to the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, there was a stampede in which many people were killed and injured, an event that is extremely tragic. My deepest condolences to the victims. The government should take action against those responsible and also provide full assistance to the victims,
she saidWe have a tri-service office at the railway station. When I was returning after my duty, I couldn't go as there was a huge crowd... I tried to convince people and also made announcements appealing to people to avoid gathering on the platform in large numbers. The administration was working hard to prevent any mishap, but no one was listening... I also helped the injured people with the help of one of my friends."
Speaking to the news agency ANI, Ajit said
When this tragic incident took place yesterday, at that time, Magadh Express going towards Patna was standing on platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station and Uttar Sampark Kranti going towards Jammu was standing on platform number 15. During this, a passenger coming towards platforms 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs, and many passengers standing behind him were hit, and this tragic incident took place. This is being investigated by a high-level committee
Shekhar saidThe stampede broke out around 9:30 pm... When people on platform number 13 saw trains on platforms 14 and 15 - they moved towards these platforms. The platforms of the trains were not changed, but the crowd was so huge that it could not be controlled...."
Another eyewitness, Ravi saidAn Unprecedented rush situation developed today at about 10 pm in New Delhi railway station near platforms 13 & 14. Some of the passengers present there on the platforms fainted due to this sudden rush further leading to the rumours of stampede-like situation. This led to the spread of panic."
Likewise, the railway ministry said
I was heading to Prayagraj, but many trains were either running late or had been canceled. The station was extremely overcrowded—far more packed than I’ve ever seen before. Right in front of me, six or seven women were carried away on stretchers,
he recalledTwo trains were delayed, and due to the increased footfall, the crowd grew massive. A few people sustained injuries. As of now, the situation is under control,
he had saidDevastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured."
Singh on X wroteSpoke to Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav ji and other concerned officials regarding the accident at New Delhi Railway Station. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Delhi Police Commissioner and instructed to provide all possible help to everyone."
In a post on X, Shah wroteDistressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede."
Condoling the loss of lives, PM Modi posted on XWe have been running from pillar to post since 10 pm. It's 1 am now. My mother is dead. She had just wanted to visit Maha Kumbh with her friends. How can the government be so reckless? Do they care about human lives? We received a call from one of her friends about the incident
Her son, who refused to be named, said ... he saidI just kept calling my brother-in-law and reached her somehow…Suruchi was my only daughter. What will we do now? My wife lost her parents. They all just wanted to visit the Kumbh area. What was their fault? Why did the police come so late? My daughter could have survived but she was run over by scores of people, she was in the 5th standard…I can’t talk now,
he added
The tragic death of devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heartbreaking. Met the families of the victims at the LNJP hospital. Many people are also injured, whose treatment is going on. Two of our MLAs are present in the hospital to help the victim families..."
Atishi posted on X
I am going inside (Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital) and will talk to the concerned doctors. As the MLA of the area, I will get information from the doctors about the number of casualties..."
AAP leader Aaley Mohammed Iqbal also visited LNJP hospital and said