New Delhi: A tragic stampede-like situation at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed the lives of 18 people, including 9 women, 5 children and 4 men. The incident took place at around 9.30 pm between platforms 14 and 16. Several others sustained injuries and the injured are being treated at Lady Hardinge and LNJP hospitals in Delhi.
The stampede happened as a massive crowd had gathered at the station to board trains for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The situation spiraled out of control when passengers moved between platforms 14 and 16. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed and Union Railway Minister Ashiwni Vaishnaw ordered a high-level investigation into the incident.
Key questions over incident
The incident has raised several burning questions about the safety and management at the station:
- Why did a stampede situation arise at the railway station?
- Why was the crowd not controlled on time?
- Why were there no arrangements considering the expected crowd?
- Why were two special trains cancelled at the last moment?
- Why was the platform changed without ensuring proper movement of people?
- Why were arrangements not made to facilitate smooth movement of passengers between platforms?
Compensation announced for victims’ families
The Railway Ministry has announced compensation for the victims and their families. The families of the deceased will receive Rs 10 lakh each. Seriously injured people will be given Rs 2.5 lakh, and those with minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh.
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, said, “When this tragic incident took place yesterday, at that time, Magadh Express going towards Patna was standing on platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station and Uttar Sampark Kranti going towards Jammu was standing on platform number 15. During this, a passenger coming towards platforms 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs, and many passengers standing behind him were hit, and this tragic incident took place. This is being investigated by a high-level committee.”
What led to stampede?
Initial reports suggested the stampede was caused by overcrowding at the station. A large number of passengers had gathered for Maha Kumbh trains. The situation was exacerbated by the last-minute cancellation of two special trains and the sudden change of platforms.
Witnesses reported overcrowded staircases, lack of space to stand, and people falling over each other, leading to chaos.
Witnesses have shared harrowing accounts of the stampede. One passenger recalled, “There was no place to even stand on the platform. People who didn’t have tickets were sitting in the trains, and those with reserved seats were standing outside. The crowd was uncontrollable.”
Another eyewitness said, “When the stampede began, people climbed over each other. I was near the stairs and moved away as soon as the pushing started. I helped pull out some people from the crowd.”
A woman trapped in the crowd said, “We were stuck for over an hour and somehow managed to save our lives. It was terrifying.”
