A massive stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the tragic deaths of 18 people, including 11 women and 4 children. Over a dozen others sustained injuries as thousands rushed to board trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.
Overcrowding Triggers Disaster—CCTV Footage Under Investigation
According to initial reports, an overwhelming rush of passengers at New Delhi Railway Station trying to board trains for the Maha Kumbh led to the deadly stampede. Delhi Police have launched a probe and are analyzing CCTV footage to determine what triggered the chaos.
Railway Ministry Orders High-Level Investigation
The Ministry of Railways has announced a high-level inquiry into the tragic incident, calling it an “unfortunate event.” Authorities are looking into mismanagement and possible lapses in crowd control measures.
What Officials Said: New Delhi Railway Station Platforms Were Overloaded Before the Stampede
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) confirmed that New Delhi Railway Station platform number 14 was already overcrowded as the Prayagraj Express was preparing for departure. Adding to the congestion, two other delayed trains—Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express—had passengers waiting on platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Horror: ‘A Disaster Waiting to Happen’
One eyewitness described the scene as beyond control, stating that crowds had gathered at the foot overbridge in numbers never seen before, even during festival rushes. Even the presence of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel wasn’t enough to manage the swelling crowd.
Families Devastated: Victims Share Heartbreaking Stories
Among the victims was Sanjay, who lost his sister in the stampede. “We were 12 people heading to Maha Kumbh. We hadn’t even reached the platform when the chaos began. My sister was caught in the crowd. We found her half an hour later—she was already gone,” he said, breaking down in tears.
Another victim’s son, traveling to Bihar, recounted how his mother lost her life in the rush. “People were pushing each other. The doctor confirmed my mother’s death,” he said.
Compensation Announced for Families of the Deceased
In response to the tragedy, authorities have announced a ₹10 lakh compensation for each family who lost a loved one.
This incident has raised serious concerns about railway crowd management, especially during major events like the Maha Kumbh. The government faces growing pressure to implement stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation unfolds.
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