Tragic History: Stampede Catastrophes in India

The report chronicles major stampedes in India over the past two decades, highlighting their frequent occurrence during religious gatherings. These tragic events have claimed hundreds of lives, primarily due to overcrowding and panicked rushes during pilgrimages and festivals throughout the country.

At least 15 people, predominantly women and children, were killed and 15 more injured in a stampede at New Delhi's main railway station, as reported by the capital's chief minister on Sunday morning.

This incident adds to a disturbing chronology of similar tragedies across India over the past 20 years, mostly occurring at crowded religious events. In January 2025, a stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh resulted in dozens of deaths as tens of millions gathered for the sacred event. Earlier that month, another stampede near a prominent temple in Andhra Pradesh led to six fatalities.

Previous instances also include a deadly stampede of 121 people in July 2024 in Hathras, and another in January 2022 at the Vaishno Devi shrine. With a history of catastrophic events, authorities are urged to enhance crowd management at large gatherings to prevent future tragedies.