Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 15 Lives, Probe Ordered
New Delhi: A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Friday night resulted in the death of 15 people and left over 10 injured. Upon receiving the information, railway authorities and security personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and ordered a high-level investigation. He assured that the situation at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) is now under control. Delhi Police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) are present, and the injured have been taken to hospitals. To ease congestion, four special trains have been deployed to manage the crowd. He stated that an inquiry will be conducted to determine how the stampede occurred and identify any lapses in crowd management.
Cause of the Stampede
According to railway officials, an unprecedented crowd surge occurred around 10 PM near Platforms 13 and 14. The sudden influx of passengers led to panic, causing some travelers to faint, which triggered rumors of a stampede. This created chaos, but authorities swiftly took action to disperse the crowd and restore order. Northern Railway immediately ran four special trains to clear the congestion, which has now significantly reduced. Injured and unconscious passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals by RPF and Delhi Police.
Reports suggest that the cancellation of two trains to Prayagraj led to a massive crowd buildup at the station. The last-minute announcement caused confusion and distress among passengers, resulting in the stampede-like situation. The incident primarily took place on Platforms 14 and 15, where trains to Prayagraj are usually operated. Fire department teams and rescue operations are ongoing, and injured passengers have been taken to hospitals for treatment.
Casualties and Official Response
The Chief Medical Officer of LNJP Hospital confirmed that 15 people have died, including three children. Several injured passengers are also receiving treatment at Lady Hardinge Hospital.
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena expressed deep grief over the tragedy and directed the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner to expedite relief and rescue operations. He also instructed hospitals to remain on high alert for emergency cases.
Former Chief Minister Atishi called the incident unfortunate and urged railway authorities to provide immediate assistance to affected passengers.
Railway’s Appeal and Passenger Concerns
The Railway Administration has appealed to passengers to remain calm and avoid believing in rumors. A special helpline is expected to be launched soon to assist affected travelers. However, passengers have expressed anger over the lack of proper crowd control measures, demanding better arrangements to prevent such incidents in the future.
