New Delhi Railway Station stampede Case shocking news: 18 dead, 15 injured; Railway gives a voluntary amount to the victims

18 dead and 15 injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, which was caused by a sudden crowd of passengers.

New Delhi: At least 18 people, including five children, were killed and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, which was caused by a sudden surge of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela is going on. 

The incident took place near foot-overbridges which connects the platforms 14 and 15, when some passengers slipped while descending, causing panic and a deadly crash. While some sources said delays in train departures and the sale of 1,500 general tickets every hour may have created a chaotic situation at the station, others indicated that the wrong announcement about the change of platforms may have created confusion that led to the stampede, PTI reported. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an inquiry and set up a two-member high-level committee to investigate the lapses.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway KPS Malhotra told ANI, "Keeping in view the current scenario, if there is an increased footfall and extra trains need to be operated to cater to the increased footfall, we have intensified the arrangements - as far as the manpower and force is concerned...If the transition of the individual to the group, group to crowd and crowd to mob is avoided, such incidents can be averted to a large extent."

He emphasized that such incidents can be averted if people follow acceptable social behavior. "If people don't rush unnecessarily, there won't be a catastrophic effect where everyone rushes. If disciplined behavior is followed, there is a great chance for such incidents to be averted. Everyone is a capable decision-maker. If you feel that the rush is increasing, halting at that time is better rather than boarding the train at that time...," the officer said.

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