Horrific videos have surfaced, showing a massive crowd of passengers struggling to board an overcrowded train at the New Delhi Railway Station, moments before a deadly stampede claimed 18 lives, including three children, on Saturday evening.
According to the Chief Casualty Medical Officer at LNJP Hospital, the stampede, which unfolded around 9:55 pm on platforms 14 and 15, left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured, causing chaos at the station as a massive influx of passengers, primarily devotees on their way to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation worsened rapidly due to delays in the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, causing passengers to converge on the already crowded platforms.
Ved Gupta, a passenger who managed to escape unhurt, recounted the terrifying moments. “I was going to Prayagraj to take a holy dip. There was a huge crowd at platform number 14. We were two of us, and we somehow escaped unhurt. It was a very bad scene,” he said while interacting with PTI.
The Indian Railways, on Sunday, announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for individuals with minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, stating, "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones."
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the cause of the stampede. As per preliminary reports, the unexpected rush of passengers heading to the Maha Kumbh, combined with train delays, contributed to the chaos.
“An unprecedented rush situation developed today at about 10 pm in New Delhi railway station near platforms 13 & 14. Some of the passengers present there on the platforms fainted due to this sudden rush further leading to the rumours of stampede-like situation. This led to the spread of panic. The situation was later controlled by easing the rush situation. Northern Railways immediately ran four special trains to evacuate the unprecedented sudden rush. Now rush has been reduced. In the meanwhile, the fainted & injured passengers have been taken to nearby hospitals by RPF & Delhi Police. A high level inquiry has been ordered by the Railways on the unfortunate incident," the Ministry of Railways earlier said.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, currently underway in Prayagraj, has attracted over 500 million devotees as of February 14.
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