India, Feb. 16 -- Blocked staircase, crowding near escalators and platforms, passengers gasping for air, people running and falling over each other - the horrifying scenes at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night led to the deaths of at least 18 passengers who were to board trains to attend the Maha Kumbh. Several others were left injured.

The massive stampede left thousands trapped at the NDLS as help arrived almost 30-45 minutes later. By then, helpless families tried calling their relatives, resuscitating the victims and calling railway/police officers for help. Most of the victims were women, who were either with friends or family and died due to injuries and/or suffocation.

Passengers blamed how the crowd kept building af...