At least 18 people, including 11 women and four children died in a ‘stampede’ at the New Delhi rail station on Saturday night, reports NDTV.
As two trains for the Maha Kumbh being delayed, an overcrowding situation created at the station.
Chief casualty medical officer of the LNJP hospital in Delhi confirmed the death to the media, saying: “10 women, three children and two men died in the incident.” Three more deaths were reported at Lady Harding Hospital, officials confirmed.
Nine victims were from Bihar, eight from Delhi, and one from Haryana. The Railways has asked its personnel to accompany those who have lost their family members to their hometowns outside Delhi.
Railways has ordered an inquiry and announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the victims' families, Rs 2.5 lakh for those severely injured, and Rs 1 lakh for minor injuries.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the incident.
The chaotic situation developed around 8 pm on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the station as passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj.
Officials said additional security forces have been deployed to control the situation at the railway station and four fire engines were also rushed to the spot. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the situation is under control.
“Situation is under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS). Delhi Police and RPF (railway police force) reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush,” the minister posted on X.
Railway authorities urged people not to believe rumors of a stampede.
While no deaths were confirmed by the Railway authorities initially, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke about a loss of lives. Mr Saxena and the minister also called the incident a stampede.
"There has been an unfortunate and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries due to disorder & stampede at New Delhi Railway Station,” Mr Saxena posted on X.
"CS has been asked to invoke DDMA (disaster management) measures & deploy relief personnel. All hospitals are in readiness to address related exegencies. Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures. I am constantly monitoring operations," he added.
Mr Saxena later modified the post to remove references to loss of lives as well as a stampede.
Videos showed a massive crowd at the platform as a train rolled in. Officials said there was a rush to board the train as well as panic when passengers realized that not all of them would be able to get in. In the videos, at least two people were also seen lying unconscious as others tried to resuscitate them. There were also reports of jostling due to crowding near escalators.
"When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. The Swatatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both of which pass through Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14," said a police official.
Rush of devotees
Special trains for the Maha Kumbh have been witnessing ever larger crowds with the festival, which is held only once every 12 years, set to end on February 26. Earlier this week, some passengers at Bihar's Madhubani railway station broke the glass windows of the Swatantrata Senani Express - which goes to Delhi via Prayagraj - after they were unable to board the train.
Similar incidents related to trains heading to Prayagraj have also been reported from other railway stations in Bihar and police cases have been registered.
Former Delhi chief minister Atishi attacked the Centre over the chaos at the New Delhi railway station. Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the Centre to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh to ease the rush of devotees who are hoping to take a dip at the Sangam.
"Even now, many people want to go to Maha Kumbh but cannot. In such a situation, the government should extend the time limit of Maha Kumbh," Mr Yadav said, pointing out that the Maha Kumbh lasted for 75 days earlier but is ending sooner this time. The last day of the Maha Kumbh, February 26, is Maha Shivratri.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
