In a tragic incident on Saturday, 15 Hindu pilgrims lost their lives in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station. The disaster occurred as pilgrims, eager to attend the Kumbh Mela—one of the world's largest religious festivals—struggled to board trains that were running significantly behind schedule. Caretaker Chief Minister of Delhi, Atishi, confirmed the incident, which also left 15 persons injured, amidst reports from local media.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences via social media, expressing support for those affected. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Minister for Railroads, has announced that an investigation into the causes of the stampede is underway. The Railway Ministry later added additional trains in an attempt to ease the overwhelming crowds gathered at the station.
The Kumbh Mela, which commenced in mid-January and will conclude later this month, is expected to attract over 400 million participants over a span of six weeks. This year, the event is especially significant as it coincides with a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years.
One of the central activities of the festival is bathing in the waters at the holy confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where Hindus believe a mythical river, Saraswati, joins them. However, managing the massive crowds has posed significant logistical challenges for the government. Just last month, a stampede led to the deaths of 30 pilgrims.
The tragic history of crowd surges at the Kumbh Mela is sobering; past events have witnessed heartbreaking losses, including a similar incident in 2013 that resulted in 42 fatalities.
As preparations continue for the festival, organizers face the daunting task of ensuring the safety of millions who gather for this unparalleled event, especially in light of yesterday's tragedy.
Eve Sampson is a reporter covering international news and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences via social media, expressing support for those affected. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Minister for Railroads, has announced that an investigation into the causes of the stampede is underway. The Railway Ministry later added additional trains in an attempt to ease the overwhelming crowds gathered at the station.
The Kumbh Mela, which commenced in mid-January and will conclude later this month, is expected to attract over 400 million participants over a span of six weeks. This year, the event is especially significant as it coincides with a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years.
One of the central activities of the festival is bathing in the waters at the holy confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where Hindus believe a mythical river, Saraswati, joins them. However, managing the massive crowds has posed significant logistical challenges for the government. Just last month, a stampede led to the deaths of 30 pilgrims.
The tragic history of crowd surges at the Kumbh Mela is sobering; past events have witnessed heartbreaking losses, including a similar incident in 2013 that resulted in 42 fatalities.
As preparations continue for the festival, organizers face the daunting task of ensuring the safety of millions who gather for this unparalleled event, especially in light of yesterday's tragedy.
Eve Sampson is a reporter covering international news and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers.
