Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims Multiple Lives Amid Kumbh Mela Rush
New Delhi: A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the tragic deaths of several people, including three children, with women comprising the majority of the casualties. Multiple others sustained injuries and were admitted to LNJP Hospital for treatment. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 PM.
Uncontrolled Rush Triggers Chaos
The exact cause of the stampede remains unclear, and railway authorities have yet to provide a definitive explanation. However, initial reports suggest that the accident was triggered by overcrowding linked to the Kumbh Mela, a major religious gathering.
Passengers had congregated in large numbers on platforms 13 and 14, awaiting the special train to Prayagraj, which was delayed. Many travellers had arrived well in advance, leading to further congestion. The situation was exacerbated by the late departure of the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Express, which intensified crowding on platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Railway Response and High-Level Inquiry
In response to the tragedy, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the cause of the stampede and assess potential lapses in crowd management. Preliminary investigations reveal that an exceptionally high number of general tickets had been sold, far exceeding the station’s capacity. The operational escalator at Platform 1 and the arrival of multiple trains in close succession contributed to the overwhelming congestion.
Railway officials have assured that the situation is now under control, with rescue workers having successfully managed the aftermath. The Railway Ministry has also announced additional trains to Prayagraj to mitigate further overcrowding.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The incident has sparked sharp criticism from the opposition Congress party, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemning the government’s handling of the situation. He demanded the immediate release of the death toll and the names of the deceased, accusing the Modi administration of withholding information for political reasons. He further criticised the government for its lack of preparedness, given the massive influx of pilgrims expected for the Kumbh Mela.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed their deep condolences to the victims’ families.
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