Team TrickyScribe: Over a dozen dead, and many others sustained injuries in a devastating stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. The tragedy unfolded as thousands of devotees gathered to travel to Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025 festival.
Victims Identified Amidst the Chaos
Authorities have identified the deceased, including elderly individuals, women, and children. Among them were Aaha Devi (79), Pinky Devi (41), Sheela Devi (50), Vyom (25), Poonam Devi (40), Lalita Devi (35), Suruchi (11), Krishna Devi (40), Vijay Sah (15), Neeraj (12), Shanti Devi (40), Pooja Kumar (8), Sangeeta Malik (34), Poonam (34), Mamta Jha (40), Riya Singh (7), Baby Kumari (24), and Manoj (47).
Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Mismanagement
An Indian Air Force (IAF) sergeant, who witnessed the incident, recounted how authorities struggled to control the massive crowd. “Despite repeated announcements urging people not to gather in large numbers, the situation was unmanageable. I tried to help injured individuals along with a friend,” he told ANI.
Stampede Triggered by Overcrowding and Platform Change
The disaster struck around 10 PM when an unexpected surge of passengers overwhelmed the railway station. An announcement regarding a platform change reportedly led to further chaos. “A train initially scheduled for platform 12 was reassigned to platform 16, causing a sudden rush from both sides,” an eyewitness stated.
Families Mourn Losses as Rescue Efforts Continue
Sanjay, a victim’s brother, shared his grief at LNJP Hospital. “We were 12 people traveling to Maha Kumbh. My sister got trapped in the crowd on the stairs. By the time we found her, she was already gone,” he said.
Delays and Ticket Sales Added to the Crisis
The situation worsened due to train delays and the sale of around 1,500 general tickets, leading to overcrowding. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, confirmed that congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14 intensified as the Prayagraj Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani faced unexpected delays.
Authorities Under Pressure to Enhance Crowd Control
With Maha Kumbh 2025 expected to draw even larger crowds, railway authorities are under scrutiny to implement better crowd management strategies to prevent future tragedies. Investigations are ongoing to determine the lapses that led to the stampede.
Nation Mourns as Leaders Express Condolences
The tragic incident triggered an outpouring of condolences on social media, with prominent leaders expressing their grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who extended their sympathies to the bereaved families.
PM Modi assured all possible assistance to the victims, while CM Adityanath directed officials to provide immediate medical aid to the injured. Several other political leaders and public figures also took to social media, calling for stricter crowd management measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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