New Delhi: The death toll in a stampede overnight at the New Delhi Railway Station rose to 18, officials said on Sunday, as the city police launched an investigation into the incident, saying they will be scanning the CCTV footage from the spot to know what transpired before the chaos erupted.
More than a dozen also injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the railway station, officials said.
The stampede was preceded by a swell in crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is underway — on platform number 14 and 15 of the station.
Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi earlier told reporters that 15 people had been brought dead at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital of central Delhi.
There were 14 women among the deceased. Five of the total casualties were minors — two of them below 10.
Almost 15 people are injured and they are undergoing treatment, Atishi said.
According to official sources, wrong announcement about change of platforms may have created a confusion that led to the stampede.
Heavy police deployment has been ordered outside LNJP Hospital.
Eyewitnesses said a huge rush at the station led to the stampede with several fainting because of suffocation.
In an official statement, the deputy commissioner of police (railway) said platform number 14 was already very crowded when the Prayagraj Express train was waiting there for its departure.
The officer said Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platform numbers 12, 13 and 14.
Before the deaths were confirmed, Railway Board’s Information and Publicity, executive Dilip Kumar, told PTI that a “stampede-like” situation occurred due to a large footfall and several people collapsed.
“So far, four special trains have been released for passenger convenience, and more are being considered. Arrangements are being made for additional special trains,” he said.(PTI)
