New Delhi: A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night has left 15 people dead, including three children, and 10 others injured. The incident, which occurred on platforms 14 and 15, has sent shockwaves across the city, prompting immediate action from authorities and expressions of grief from top officials.
According to the Chief Casualty Medical Officer at Lok Nayak Hospital, the stampede resulted in a significant loss of life, with many victims suffering from suffocation due to the overwhelming crowd. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, where medical teams are working tirelessly to provide care.
Officials Express Grief, Promise Action
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sorrow over the incident. “Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the stampede on the railway platform. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also addressed the tragedy, calling it “unfortunate and heartbreaking.” In a post on X, he stated, “My deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims. I have spoken to the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner and instructed them to address the situation and provide relief. All hospitals are on alert to handle emergencies.”
Saxena further directed the Chief Secretary to implement Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) measures and deploy relief teams. He emphasised that he is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed officials to remain at the site to oversee relief operations.
Immediate Measures Taken
In response to the tragedy, Indian Railways has decided to operate four special trains to manage the overwhelming crowd. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to visit the station shortly to assess the situation.
The exact cause of the stampede remains unclear, but preliminary reports suggest that a sudden surge of passengers trying to board a train to Prayagraj may have triggered the chaos. Authorities have deployed rescue teams and four fire engines to the scene to assist with relief efforts.
Eyewitness Accounts and Ongoing Investigations
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as the crowd swelled beyond capacity. “The platform was packed, and people were struggling to breathe. It was complete chaos,” said one passenger.
Railway officials have denied that a stampede occurred, attributing the fatalities to suffocation caused by the massive crowd. However, the incident has raised serious questions about crowd management and safety protocols at one of India’s busiest railway stations.
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