A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday has left at least 18 people dead and many others injured, prompting widespread condolences from government officials and a swift emergency response from local authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, extending his condolences to the families of the victims. In a message posted on social media platform X, he stated, “Distressed by the stampede at the New Railway Station. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the injured to have a speedy recovery. The authorities are aiding all of them who are affected by this stampede.”
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw also shared his sorrow regarding the unfortunate event. He wrote on X, “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that has occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The whole team is working to assist all those who have been impacted by this tragic incident.”
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena addressed the situation, stating, “There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station. I have spoken to the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation. The Chief Secretary has been instructed to deploy relief personnel, and I am constantly monitoring operations.”
The stampede reportedly began on platform 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. Chaos ensued as two other trains, the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani and the Swatantrata Senani Express, experienced delays, leading to further congestion on platforms 12 and 13.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railway) KPS Malhotra, the situation escalated as approximately 1,500 general tickets were sold, resulting in severe overcrowding, particularly on platform 14 and the escalator at platform 1.
In response to the emergency, the Delhi Fire Service dispatched four fire tenders to the scene to assist with rescue and relief efforts. Authorities are currently assessing the situation and working to restore normal railway operations while ensuring the safety of passengers.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of panic and confusion as travelers attempted to navigate the crowded platforms. Many were caught off guard by the sudden surge of people, leading to a chaotic environment that ultimately resulted in the tragic stampede.
As investigations into the incident continue, officials are focusing on providing support to the victims and their families. The railway authorities are also reviewing safety protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The stampede has raised concerns about crowd management at one of the busiest railway stations in the country, especially during peak travel times. As the nation mourns the loss of life, calls for improved safety measures and better crowd control at railway stations are likely to intensify.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by public transport systems in managing large volumes of passengers, particularly during festive seasons and holidays when travel demand surges.
As the community comes together to support those affected by this tragedy, the focus remains on healing and ensuring that such a devastating event does not happen again.
Authorities are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and implementing necessary changes to enhance passenger safety at railway stations across the country.
