New Delhi: At least 18 people died and several others were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday. The tragedy occurred as thousands of devotees rushed to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering.

The situation turned chaotic when a platform change for a special train led to panic among passengers. Witnesses described the scene as people collided and fell on the escalators and stairs, struggling to reach their trains. According to Dr. Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent at Lok Nayak Hospital, most victims died from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) or blunt injuries, while 11 others sustained mostly orthopedic injuries.

Following the incident, Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level inquiry and announced additional special trains from New Delhi to Prayagraj to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating he was "distressed" by the tragedy and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Delhi Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena also directed disaster management personnel to deploy at railway stations and ensure hospitals were on high alert.

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, attracts tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims. However, this isn't the first deadly stampede linked to the event. Just last month, a stampede at the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers killed at least 30 people. In 2013, another railway station tragedy resulted in the deaths of 36 people, while in 1954, more than 400 people were trampled or drowned, making it one of the deadliest crowd disasters in history.

Officials estimate that 500 million devotees have already attended this year’s six-week-long festival, raising serious concerns over crowd safety and management.