Police Statements Regarding Delhi Stampede Following Platform Change Announcement
Tragedy Strikes at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Dead in Stampede
A horrific incident unfolded at the New Delhi Railway station on Saturday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people. The chaos and stampede were triggered by a massive rush of passengers, exacerbated by the delay of two trains and the arrival of a special Express train bound for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Confusion and Panic Reign
Eyewitnesses recounted how a last-minute platform change announcement for the special train to Prayagraj caused panic among the waiting passengers. The situation was further complicated by the arrival of the Prayagraj Special train on platform number 16, adding to the chaos. The Delhi police clarified that the announcement of the Prayagraj Special on a different platform led to confusion, as passengers mistook it for their own train on platform number 14.
Railways Denies Platform Change
Despite the claims of confusion and chaos, railway authorities have refuted any allegations of a platform change or train cancellations. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, CPRO Northern Railway, stated that all trains were running as per schedule and no platforms were shifted. However, a top Railway official mentioned that the incident was triggered by a passenger slipping on nearby stairs, setting off the tragic chain of events.
Investigation Underway
In response to the tragedy, the Railways has set up a two-member high-level committee to investigate the incident. Narsingh Deo and Pankaj Gangwar, senior officials from Northern Railway, are leading the inquiry. The committee has already begun reviewing video footage from the New Delhi Railway Station to piece together the sequence of events that led to the stampede.
Victims and Injuries
Out of the 18 individuals who lost their lives in the stampede, 11 were women and four were children. Additionally, a dozen more people sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Reports indicate that many of the injured suffered lower limb injuries, while others endured bone fractures as a result of the chaotic situation at the railway station.
Moving Forward
As authorities continue to investigate the tragic incident at the New Delhi Railway station, questions remain about the safety measures in place to prevent such disasters in the future. The focus now shifts towards ensuring the well-being of the injured and providing support to the families of the deceased. The community mourns the lives lost in this senseless tragedy and hopes for improved protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.