New Delhi/IBNS: At least 18 people, including 11 women and four children, died after a sudden rush of passengers caused by the delay of two trains for the Maha Kumbh led to an overcrowding situation at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night, media reports said.

The chief casualty medical officer of the LNJP hospital in Delhi confirmed the deaths.

Ten women, three children, and two men died right on the spot. Three more deaths were reported at Lady Harding Hospital.

The Indian Railways has ordered an inquiry and announced financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh for the victims' families, Rs. 2.5 lakh for those severely injured, and Rs 1 lakh for minor injuries.

Nine victims were from Bihar, eight from Delhi, and one from Haryana.

The Railways has asked its personnel to accompany those who have lost their family members to their hometowns outside Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the incident.

How the chaos unfolded

The overcrowding began around 8 PM on platforms 14 and 15, where passengers were waiting for trains to Prayagraj.

The situation worsened as delays in the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani resulted in passengers gathering in large numbers on platforms 12, 13, and 14.

Meanwhile, the Prayagraj Express was already stationed at platform 14, which added to the congestion.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railway) KPS Malhotra told ANI, "When Prayagraj Express was standing at platform no. 14, lots of public were present at the platform. Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani were delayed, and passengers of these trains were also present at platform no. 12,13 and 14. As per the information, 1500 general tickets were sold—that’s why the crowd became uncontrollable. There was a stampede-like situation at platform no. 14 and near the escalator near platform no. 1."

Post the incident, distressing visuals from the station appeared. Clothes, slippers, shoes, and other belongings lay scattered across the platforms and staircases, bearing testimony to the intensity of the commotion.

The railway administration deployed additional security personnel to manage the situation.

Four fire engines were also dispatched to the site.