On Sunday morning, the New Delhi Railway Station, a bustling hub in India’s capital, was starkly contrasted by the tragic events of the previous night, where a deadly stampede, attributed to overcrowding, claimed at least 18 lives and injured many others. At the heart of the chaos were delays affecting two trains while another train was set to leave for Prayagraj, where the significant Kumbh Mela festival was taking place.
As reported by Indian Railways, the devastating event ensued when a passenger reportedly slipped and fell on the stairs, triggering a wave of panic among the throngs of travelers. In response to the tragedy, opposition leaders criticized the government's lack of adequate crowd control measures and an investigation has since commenced. Compensation packages for the victims have also been promised.
Eyewitnesses and the grieving families are now sharing their harrowing experiences. Bipin Jha, who lost his wife Mamta in the stampede, emotionally recounted how he witnessed her death as they walked together on the footbridge. Seema, who lost her sister-in-law Pinky Devi, described the moment chaos erupted. “We felt a push from behind,” she stated, recalling how they found themselves trapped under masses of people.
Usha Devi, affected by the madness at the platform, noted items scattered across the ground as panic spread. “I was on the verge of fainting,” she mentioned, overwhelmed by the crowd and events around her. Umesh Giri, who lost his wife Shilam, recounted the crowd’s uncontrollable nature while criticizing the slow response from officials for aid.
Victims were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, where hospital conditions were labeled poor by families waiting for news. “Multiple people were crammed onto a single bed,” one victim's relative expressed, showcasing the harrowing conditions that survivors and their families faced.
As families mourn the loss of loved ones, including a young girl named Riya, relatives call out against the preventable nature of the tragedy. “No child deserves to die like this,” her uncle lamented. The incident raises urgent questions regarding crowd management and safety at public events in India, highlighting ongoing concerns about the country’s preparedness for accommodating large gatherings.
