Political leaders across the country expressed shock and grief over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which claimed at least 18 lives and left more than a dozen injured.

President Droupadi Murmu called the incident heartbreaking, stating she was “deeply anguished” by the loss of lives and extended her condolences to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

“Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured,” tweets President Droupadi Murmu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his distress, saying his thoughts were with those who lost their loved ones. “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. 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,” PM Modi said.

The Congress accused the government of attempting to hide the truth about the deaths in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station and said it has once again highlighted the “failure” of the Railways and the “insensitivity” of the government.

Condoling the death of people in the incident, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was extremely shameful and condemnable that the Modi government was attempting to “hide the truth” about the deaths.

Also Read: Maha Kumbh: Eyewitnesses recount stampede horror

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said better arrangements should have been made at the station in view of the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.

“This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Better arrangements should have been made at the station in view of the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

“The government and the administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence,” he also said. Gandhi said the news of several people dying and many getting injured in the stampede is extremely sad and distressing. “I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari termed the incident “shocking” and conveyed his sympathies to the victims’ families, praying for the swift recovery of the injured.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed similar sentiments, stating that the railway authorities were actively working to assist those affected. However, the Railway Ministry had earlier denied reports of fatalities.

Delhi’s caretaker Chief Minister Atishi described the deaths of Maha Kumbh-bound devotees as “extremely sad and heartbreaking.” She visited Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital and said AAP MLAs were on-site to assist the victims’ families.

Also Read: Tirupati stampede: For five minutes, we thought all of us were were dead, says survivor

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also mourned the loss of lives, offering prayers for the departed and wishing strength to the bereaved families. “I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls,” he stated.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,” Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said in a post shared by his office on X.

In a separate post by the office of the chief minister, Omar Abdullah said “I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station today, resulting in the loss of at-least 18 lives and leaving many others injured.   “My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for early recovery of the injured,” he said.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of precious lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said in a post on X.

Former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Naveen Patnaik, too, expressed sorrow over the deaths in the incident. “Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of so many lives in the stampede at #NewDelhi railway station. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.

“The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured,” a statement issued by the Bihar CMO said.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news about the death of many people due to chaos and stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. May the departed souls rest in peace and ‘Marang Buru’ (supreme tribal deity) give strength to the bereaved family members to bear this difficult time,” Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said in a post on X.

“I am extremely anguished by the terrible news coming in from New Delhi Railway Station. On behalf of the people of Assam, we offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the stampede,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X.

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that broke out late Saturday night (February 15) at the New Delhi Railway Station. The stampede was preceded by a swell in crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is underway — on platform number 14 and 15 of the station.