A tragic crush at New Delhi Railway Station, prompted by overcrowding as families were gathering for a religious festival, has left 18 dead and raised questions about safety measures. Eyewitnesses recount chaotic scenes rife with grief and anger, as officials face criticism over inadequate crowd management and delayed emergency responses.
Families Mourn as Deadly Crowds Claim Lives at New Delhi Railway Station
Families Mourn as Deadly Crowds Claim Lives at New Delhi Railway Station
18 fatalities and numerous injuries have sparked outrage and demands for better crowd management at India's busiest railway junction.
On Saturday night, a tragic incident unfolded at New Delhi Railway Station, where a press of humanity led to a deadly crush claiming at least 18 lives and injuring many others. The chaos was reportedly triggered when a passenger fell on an overcrowded staircase, causing panic and pushing among the throng of people waiting for trains.
Officials indicated that delays of two trains added to the congestion at this bustling junction, while a third train was preparing to depart for Prayagraj, coinciding with the ongoing Kumbh Mela, a massive Hindu festival. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the crush was not confined to any single location, as chaos erupted across platforms, staircases, and an overhead bridge.
Opposition leaders have been vocal about their discontent with government response, accusing the Indian Railways of failing to accommodate the influx of passengers. An investigation is underway and compensation has been promised for the affected families.
Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, stated they would await the conclusions of the investigation before further comments on safety lapses. Unfortunately, such incidents are not unprecedented in India due to habitual overcrowding at busy stations and public events.
Families of the victims have shared their devastating stories of loss and anger over the chaos that ensued. Bipin Jha narrates the harrowing moment he watched his wife, Mamta, get trapped beneath the throng. “I will live my life with the guilt of not saving her,” he lamented. Other survivors like Seema described the suffocating crush and how they felt helpless as bodies cascaded over them.
Umesh Giri, whose wife Shilam Devi was among the deceased, emphasized the uncontrollable nature of the crowd, revealing how he begged for assistance. Reports also indicated delays in medical help, leading to even more anguish for those who were desperately seeking aid.
Most victims were transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, where devastated families were overwhelmed by emotions. Witnesses recounted the distressing scenes at the hospital where inadequate facilities failed to accommodate the injured properly. Shobha, the sister-in-law of Shilam Devi, highlighted the poor conditions, stating that patients were crammed into single beds, leaving grieving relatives furious.
As news spread, families continued to mourn their losses, with young lives tragically cut short, including that of 7-year-old Riya, as her family lamented, “No child deserves to die like this.” This latest incident reiterates the urgent need for an improved labor in crowd management, especially at major transport hubs, as India faces recurrent tragedies linked with large gatherings.
