Investigation Underway After Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Several Dead and Injured
Tragedy at Delhi Railway Station: Stampede Causes Casualties, Many Injured – Disturbing Videos Emerge
On Saturday night, at approximately 9:26 PM, a stampede occurred at New Delhi Railway Station, leading to multiple casualties and injuries. Several videos have surfaced showing the chaotic scene that unfolded as overcrowding escalated on the platforms.
Two trains traveling toward Prayagraj were delayed, which caused congestion on Platform 14. Suddenly, an announcement was made that the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani would arrive at Platform 16, prompting a rush of people toward that platform. Amid the chaos on the foot-over bridge, some individuals fell, and the crowd trampled over them, continuing to surge forward. After the incident, items such as personal belongings, slippers, and clothes were found scattered on the stairs.
Delhi Station Stampede: Casualties and Injuries Reported
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station occurred at 9:26 PM on Saturday. Several people lost their lives and many others were injured. The victims were brought to RML Hospital, where reports indicated chest and abdominal injuries.
The incident took place between Platforms 13, 14, and 15, where a large crowd had been gathering since 4 PM due to the Mahakumbh festival. Around 8:30 PM, delays to three trains bound for Prayagraj further exacerbated the congestion. Eyewitnesses reported that the platform numbers for these trains changed from 14 to 16, triggering the stampede.
A two-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident, consisting of senior officers from Northern Railways, Narsingh Dev and Pankaj Gangwar. The committee has ordered that all CCTV footage from New Delhi Railway Station be preserved for review.
Three Main Factors Behind the Stampede and Overcrowding
Three major trains heading toward Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar Rajdhani and Swatantra Senani Express, were already overcrowded on Platform 14. With two of the trains delayed, the platform became increasingly congested. When the announcement was made that Bhubaneswar Rajdhani would be arriving at Platform 16, the crowd rushed there, triggering the stampede.
The station’s ticket counters were packed with people, many of whom were traveling to Prayagraj. Upon hearing the announcement, passengers without tickets also rushed to the platform, exacerbating the chaos.
Despite the heavy crowds due to the Mahakumbh festival, the station management failed to establish a control room to manage the situation. By 7 PM, the crowd was growing, but no efforts were made to control or direct them.
Eyewitness Accounts: Platform Change Announcement Caused Chaos
Eyewitnesses shared that even those with confirmed tickets struggled to board the trains due to the overcrowding. Pramod Chaurasia, who was traveling to Prayagraj, said, “I had a confirmed sleeper ticket for the Purushottam Express, but due to the overwhelming crowd, even ticket holders couldn’t board their trains. We had to push our way through the chaos.”
Another eyewitness, Dharmendra Singh, described the scene: “I was headed to Prayagraj, and several trains had already been delayed or canceled. The crowd was massive, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen at a station. I saw several women being carried away on stretchers.”
Delhi LG Sends Condolences, Later Updates Tweet
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, initially tweeted at 11:55 PM: “A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has resulted in casualties and injuries. My deepest condolences to the families affected.” However, by 12:24 AM, he edited his tweet to say, “A tragic incident has taken place at New Delhi Railway Station. I have spoken with the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner to handle the situation.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his condolences on Twitter at 12:56 AM: “I am deeply saddened by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
