What triggered the stampede at New Delhi railway station that claimed 18 lives ?
PTC News Desk: An investigation into the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which resulted in at least 18 deaths on Saturday night due to overcrowding, has found that an announcement about a special train for Maha Kumbh devotees and a sudden increase in ticket sales to Prayagraj contributed to the tragic event.
According to Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, chief public relations officer of Northern Railway, the incident happened on platform 14 and 15. A crowd of passengers was waiting there to board trains for Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
"When this tragic incident took place yesterday, 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," Upadhyay said.
"This is being investigated by a high-level committee. No train was cancelled, nor was there any change in platform... The incident is being investigated, so let the committee submit their report and findings," he added.
The report stated that on Saturday night, hundreds of passengers were waiting on platform 14 to board a train to Prayagraj, while many others gathered on the nearby platform 13 to board the Swatantrata Senani Express, which travels from New Delhi to Darbhanga. However, the Swatantrata Senani Express was delayed and rescheduled to depart at midnight, causing passengers to remain on the platform.
The surge in ticket sales resulted in a growing number of travelers on platform 14, leading to severe overcrowding, with barely any space left for people to stand, according to the inquiry report.
"Considering the increasing crowds and continuous ticket sales, at around 10 pm, the railway authorities announced a special train to Prayagraj from platform 16. Upon hearing this announcement, the passengers with general tickets, who were waiting on platform 14, rushed towards 16 by crossing the foot overbridge," it said.
- PTC NEWS
