Breaking News: At least 18 people, including 14 women, were killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station as thousands of pilgrims rushed to board trains for the Maha Kumbh festival.

New Delhi, India — A devastating stampede at New Delhi railway station late Saturday night claimed the lives of at least 18 people, including 14 women, as thousands of Hindu pilgrims waited to board trains for the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj.

The tragic incident unfolded when an announcement about a last-minute platform change caused confusion among the crowd. As passengers rushed to move, some slipped while descending from a footbridge, triggering a deadly crush.

“The crowd went out of control and no one could control it,” said Nikhil Kumar, a shopkeeper who witnessed the chaos.

Sheela Devi, grieving at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital, had come to collect the body of her daughter-in-law. “There was panic everywhere,” she said, recalling the terrifying moments leading up to the tragedy.

Delhi’s caretaker Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that many victims were pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh festival.

“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,” he said on the social platform X.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that an investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the stampede and prevent future incidents.

The disaster comes just weeks after another deadly stampede at the six-week Maha Kumbh festival, where at least 30 people lost their lives after tens of millions of Hindus gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters.

Rescue operations continued through the night, with emergency personnel rushing the injured to hospitals. Officials are now working to provide assistance to the victims’ families and ensure stricter crowd management measures for the ongoing religious gathering.