Viral video of suffocating girl in packed train prompts Railways response, sparks debate on passenger safety

The original post that drew attention to the incident claimed she had been 'almost suffocated' and 'stampeded into a train coach'.

A video showing a young girl visibly struggling to breathe inside a packed train carriage, while onlookers on the platform laughed and filmed her, has caused widespread anger online and renewed debate about railway crowd control during festive travel surges.

The footage, which spread quickly on X (formerly Twitter), captured the girl sitting by the window in a second-class compartment, hemmed in by a crush of passengers both inside the coach and on the congested station platform. She repeatedly tried to force the window open, apparently desperate for air, and at one point splashed water on her face in an attempt to cool down.

What provoked further outrage was the reaction of those nearby. Rather than offering help, several people on the platform were heard jeering, shouting in amusement, and recording the scene on their phones as the girl appeared to be gasping for breath in the oppressive heat.

The original post that drew attention to the incident claimed she had been “almost suffocated” and “stampeded into a train coach” while “the crowd on the platform was laughing and mocking her.” The user wrote: “Every festival the surge at railway stations and people entering trains without tickets surges, the mob rules the trains. Why can’t we have access control to railway stations at least during festival season and especially known stations which have massive crowds trying to get into trains?”

They went on to suggest deploying the Central Reserve Police Force at selected stations during peak festival periods to maintain order: “Deploy CRPF etc at such stations during festival peak at selected stations and have access control for them during the peak. I don’t think it’s an impossible task.”

Moneycontrol.com could not independently verify the date and location of the video, but the clip has triggered heated discussion on the safety and dignity of passengers during periods of extreme congestion.

We are concerned to see this. Please share details Like Place of incidence, Date of incidence and Mobile no. so that we get it checked. You may also raise your concern directly on https://t.co/AmJ5X4xFpA for speedy redressal.
https://t.co/utEzIqAAkm

— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) August 11, 2025

In reply to the post, the Railways’ official X account said: “We are concerned to see this. Please share details like place of incidence, date of incidence and mobile no. so that we get it checked. You may also raise your concern directly on https://railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in for speedy redressal.”

Reactions online have been sharply critical of both the bystanders and the system. One user commented: “Indian train is like a reminder — one ride in General class and now even Sleeper is enough to make you promise yourself you will work hard so you never travel like this again.”

Another wrote: “She’s clearly having some sort of anxiety attack due to the crowd and heat. What is so funny to the people watching her? It’s disgusting behaviour.”

Others pointed to chronic issues with festival season travel. A third remarked: “This happens on all festivals. Railway should implement strictly that only ticket holders can board the train and seat-based tickets should be issued only.”

One more added: “Deploying security and good infrastructure should be essential, but this also shows just how badly we lack basic civic sense as a society.”