NEW DELHI, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- A stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station in India on Saturday evening killed at least 15 people as a heavy rush of passengers tried to board trains to Prayagraj for the Hindu festival of Maha Kumbh.
Local media reported that many were also injured in the stampede.
"Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at the New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on X.
The minister said special trains were operated "to evacuate this unprecedented sudden rush" at the Indian capital's main railway station, one of the busiest in the country.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes on some platforms as thousands of people tried to find seats on the trains bound for Prayagraj, about 700 km from New Delhi.
The death toll was reported between 15 and 18, including many women and children.
There have been many road crashes involving Prayagraj devotees in Uttar Pradesh and other states since the six-week festival began on Jan 13.
Prayagraj itself witnessed a stampede on Jan 29 in which at least 30 devotees lost their lives, according to the official death toll.
Tens of millions of Hindus have participated in sacred bath rituals at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj.
-- BERNAMA
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