As many as 18 people were killed and many were seriously injured when a tragic stampede took place at New Delhi Railway Station on the night of February 15. The incident happened when the crowd of passengers going to Prayagraj suddenly increased and there was chaos at the station.
According to a report prepared by the Railway Police Force (RPF), at the time of the incident, about 300 employees of different departments of the railway were present at the station, including more than 80 RPF personnels.
In its report, the railway police said that after the Shivganga Express left platform 12, the number of passengers going to Prayagraj suddenly increased, due to which there was a massive congestion on footover bridge 2 and 3. Due to this, passengers got stuck on platforms 12-13, 14-15 and 16. Given the rush, the RPF Inspector asked the railway team selling 1,500 tickets every hour for Prayagraj to immediately stop selling tickets.
According to the report, an announcement was made at around 8:45 pm that the Kumbh Special train would leave from platform 12, but shortly after it was again announced that the train would leave from platform 16. Due to this change, the passengers got confused and a stampede situation arose. As Magadh Express was standing on platform 14 and Uttar Sampark Kranti train was standing on platform 15, it became difficult for the passengers to move back and forth.
The report stated that the passengers were trying to climb up the stairs to footover Bridge 2 and 3, meanwhile, the passengers of another train were descending the stairs which led to massive congestion. This worsened situation led to the stampede.
The injured were immediately rushed to RML, LNJP and Lady Hardinge Hospital, where 20 out of 30 passengers died during treatment. RPF report stated that an investigation is now underway into the incident and steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future.