A devastating stampede caused by the massive crowd at New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday night led to the tragic deaths of 18 people, including 9 women, 4 men, and 5 children. Dozens were injured, many of whom remain in critical condition. This incident has raised serious questions about the railway authority's crowd management capabilities and safety measures.
An eyewitness recounted the heart-wrenching scene, describing the crowd as totally unruly. Thousands of people gathered on the footbridge and platform without any anticipation of such a turnout. Even during festivities, I've never seen the railway station this crowded. Administration and NDRF personnel were present, but the overwhelming crowd became impossible to control.
Thousands of travelers had arrived to catch trains to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. As the crowd spiraled out of control on platforms 14 and 15, shoving and panic ensued. Many fell off the footbridge, while some stumbled in front of trains. The railway authorities and security forces failed to manage the situation. Families allege rescue operations were delayed, resulting in loss of lives.
Post-incident, victims' families and passengers have leveled charges of negligence against the railway authority. Why were unlimited general tickets issued when trains were limited? Why weren't there adequate safety measures for such a massive crowd? Why weren't security arrangements made in advance despite the growing crowd?
Source: aajtak
Families of the deceased and eyewitnesses have accused the railway of grave negligence. The incident has exposed the inadequacy of crowd control claims. Reports indicate that over 1500 tickets per hour were being issued for Prayagraj, leading to an ever-increasing number of passengers at the station. Despite limited train availability, the unchecked issuance of general tickets added to the chaos.
Tragedy of 18 deaths from Bihar, Delhi, and Haryana
According to an eyewitness, the platform was so heavily packed that passengers began toppling over each other. Some fell in front of the train engines and met instant deaths. The staircase was equally crowded, causing more individuals to tumble. Some died from asphyxiation, while others were trampled. A tearful woman shared that her mother fell victim to the tragedy, whereas another woman said it was a miracle her son survived.
Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Visits the Injured
After the incident, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena visited the LNJP Hospital, met with the injured, and instructed accelerated relief operations. He expressed his condolences on social media and directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi and the Police Commissioner to control the situation on site. Delhi's acting Chief Minister Atishi stated that all possible support will be provided to the affected families, directing officials to prevent a recurrence of such events.
Source: aajtak
Who's to Blame?
With limited train numbers, why did authorities issue so many general tickets? Considering the number of travelers heading to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, the railway should have made arrangements in advance. The deployment of adequate police forces and security personnel was lacking. Families of the deceased express anger. Many accuse the railway administration of severe negligence, stating that if crowd management wasn't executed properly...
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is a result of severe negligence by the railway administration. This tragedy has plunged numerous families into profound grief. The pertinent question now is: Will the railway administration learn from this? Will adequate crowd management arrangements be implemented in the future? Or will such tragedies persist unceasingly?
A witness named Ajit reported that the crowd swelled to five ten thousand. A wrong train announcement and platform change triggered the chaos, killing 18 as many were injured and others fainted. After the mishap, it was the porters and bystanders who assisted the victims, carrying them in their arms, while the administration was barely present.
