New Delhi:
A rush took place on the New Delhi train station, which resulted in the loss of 15 lives on Saturday. The incident happened around 10 p.m. when thousands of devotees went on their way to pray for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, which caused a serious overcrowding at the station.
An eyewitness, a sergeant of the Indian Air Force (IAF), said on Sunday that despite announcements and efforts to convince people to prevent them from gathering in large numbers, the crowd remained unmanageable. He said the administration tried to control the crowd, but people didn't listen.
Speaking with the Ani news agency Ajit said: “We have a Tri-Service office at the train station. When I returned after my duty, I couldn't go because there was a huge crowd … I tried to convince people and also made announcements attractive For people to prevent them from gathering on the platform in large numbers.
Another eyewitness told about the horror and said the crowd was outside the limit.
“The crowd was outside the limit, people were gathered at the (foot over) bridge … Such a huge audience was not expected. I have never seen such a huge audience at the train station, even during the festivals. People. Of the administration and even NDRF staff were there, but when the crowd exceeded the limit, it was not possible to control them, “he said.
One of the victim's brothers in the LNJP hospital, who lost his sister in the Stampede, said: “We were 12 people who went to Maha Kumbh. We hadn't even reached the platform, but were at the stairs … My family, including my sister, was stuck in the crowd.
Another eyewitness described the chaos and stated that the crowd came from both sides after an announcement about a train platform change, which led to the rush.
“There was no one to control the crowd … It was announced that the train would be on platform number 12 on platform number 16. So the crowd came from both sides and a rush took place … some people got to the hospital. .., “he said.
Delays in train deviations and the sale of around 1500 general tickets has worsened the situation and contributed to the overwhelming crowd.
Under the affected passengers, Pappu, a resident of Bihar's Patna, shared his grief and said, “My mother died in the rush. We were on their way home.”
NDRF commander Daulat Ram Chaudary confirmed that the situation was now under control. “… The situation is now under control. The injured people have been evacuated … We have received information about a rush on platform no. 14 at the station … We perform the rescue operations …”
DCP Railway KPS Malhotra stated that although the authorities had expected a large crowd, the incident unfolded within a few moments.
“We expected the crowd, but it all happened in a fraction of time, and that is why this situation took place. The facts will be done by the railways … After investigation we will get to know the reason behind the incident,” he said Ani.
In the meantime, the railway council has announced on Sunday that a two -fold committee was formed at a high level to investigate the matter and to determine the cause of the Stormloop at the New Delhi train station.
“A dual -level committee has been formed at a high level to investigate the matter … The situation is under control and the passengers have been sent by a special train … Train movement at the train station is now normal”, Dilip Kumar, executive director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP), Railroad.
According to Mr. Kumar, the station experienced an unusually high volume of passengers, so that the railways operated four extra special trains to manage the crowd.
To regain control of the situation, access to the train station was temporarily blocked.
“The number of passengers today was relatively very high at the New Delhi train station, so we ran four more special trains. We received information that a few people fainted – they were admitted to a local hospital. We have blocked access to the railway Until the Spoor Station for a while, but the situation is now under control, “Mr Kumar added.
According to deputy police commissioner (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, the incident took place when a large number of passengers collected on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. In addition, delays led to the departure of Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani to further congestion on platforms 12, 13 and 14.
