At least 18 people killed in stampede at station as thousands push to board train on way to Indian religious festival

AT LEAST 18 people have died in a horror stampede at a train station in India.

Thousands of passengers are said to have been involved in the deadly New Delhi tragedy as they were trying to board a train on the way to a religious festival.

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At least 18 people have died after a stampede at New Delhi Railway station[/caption]

Reuters

Police patrol the local hospital after dozens were rushed in for treatment after the stampede[/caption]

Terrified witnesses said travellers were told to change platforms at the New Delhi Railway station – quickly causing a deadly surge.

Fourteen of the victims are women, according to local media.

Delhi’s caretaker chief minister, Atishi, initially among those dead included three children.

Those killed and badly injured were rushed to the capital’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital, Atishi added..

Local shopkeeper Nikhil Kumar saw the chaos unfold.

He said: “The crowd went out of control and no one could control it.”

The stampede happened at around 8pm local time on Saturday evening as passengers were heading towards Maha Kumbh Hindu festival in Prayagraj.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was left “distressed by the stampede”.

He posted a statement on X, saying: “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones.

“I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery.”

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said an investigation has been launched to find out the cause of the deadly stampede.

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