Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday expressed their condolences over the tragic deaths caused by a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday.
Shah discussed the incident with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, and Delhi Police, directing them to extend all possible assistance to those affected.
“Spoke to Railway Minister 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. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The injured are being given all possible treatment. I wish them a speedy recovery,” he wrote on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as “devastating” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
“Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampedes on the Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed his shock over the tragedy and extended his condolences.
“Shocking incident at New Delhi Railway Station. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva visited Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where the injured were receiving treatment, and assured them of full support.
According to a Delhi BJP press statement, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda spoke with doctors and officials, issuing necessary directives. Sachdeva further stated that the Delhi Government’s Chief Secretary has deployed a large medical team across various hospitals, while the Railways has arranged three special trains for Prayagraj to manage the situation.
The deadly stampede, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in at least 15 fatalities and multiple injuries.
“15 people, including 3 children, lost their lives; 10 others are injured in the incident that occurred at New Delhi railway station,” said the Chief Casualty Medical Officer of LNJP Hospital.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, explained that the incident took place when an excessive number of passengers gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. The situation was exacerbated by delays in the departures of the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, leading to overcrowding at platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Reports indicate that around 1,500 general tickets were sold, creating an overwhelming rush. The congestion intensified near platform no. 14 and the escalator at platform no. 1.
In response, the Ministry of Railways has ordered a high-level inquiry into the “unfortunate incident.”
