Lucknow 2002 To New Delhi 2025: Deadly Stampedes At Railway Stations Of India
At least 18 people were killed in a stampede at the New Delhi railway station amid massive rush of Maha Kumbh devotees headed to Prayagraj.
A tragic incident took place at the New Delhi Railway station on Saturday night as 18 people, including 14 women, were killed in a stampede. The incident took place around 10 pm when a massive crowd of devotees, headed to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh caused severe overcrowding at the station, leading to the stampede.
Eyewitnesses have said that the chaos started after crowd poured in from both sides after an announcement regarding change in train platform. Delays in train departures and sale of around 1500 general tickets are belived to have contributed to the overwhelming crowd, which led to casualties and several people getting injured.
The situation has now been brought under control, authorities say. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, are among those who have expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede.
Meanwhile, Indian Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased who lost their lives in the New Delhi Railway station stampede, and Rs 2.5 lakh compensation to the seriously injured. Those who have suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 1 lakh compensation.
Past Stampedes At Railway Stations In India
This is not the first time that a stampede has occurred at a railway station in India or Delhi. Here are some of the similar tragic incidents where people have lost lives or sustained injuries after being stuck in crowd crushes at railway stations:
- Bandra Station Stampede, Maharashtra, October 2024
At least 10 people were injured on 27 October 2024 in a stampede at Bandra Terminus railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The stampede-like- situation arose amid a rush of passengers jostling to board the Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express to go to Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh for Diwali and Chhath.
- Elphinstone Railway Station Stampede, Maharashtra, September 2022
Nearly 22 people died, 39 others were injured in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra on September 29, 2017. The stampede occurred during peak office hours on the foot over bridge connecting Elphinstone and Parel suburban stations.
- Allahabad Railway Station Stampede, UP, February 2013
A stampede took place at the Allahabad railway station in Uttar Pradesh, killing 36 people and injuring 50 others during the Kumbh Mela in 2013. The incident occurred near the footover bridge on platform number 6 as over 1.5 lakh devotees thronged the Allahabad junction to board trains back home after Mauni Amavasya Snan.
- Mughalsarai Junction Stampede, UP, October 2007
There was a stampede at Mughalsarai Junction railway station in Uttar Pradesh on October 3, 2007. At least 14 women died and over 40 passengers were injured due to the stampede. The stampede occurred as a large number of passengers reached the station after bathing in Ganga in Varanasi on Jutiya Vrat. The station has now been renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
- New Delhi Railway Station Stampede, Delhi, November 2004
On November 13, 2004, the platform of a train headed to Bihar was suddenly changed at New Delhi railway station. This caused a stampede on the overbridge as passengers who wanted to go to home for Chhath Puja rushed to board the train on the other platform. Four passengers were killed in this stampede and 10 others were injured.
- Lucknow Railway Station Stampede, UP, September 2002
Around 16 Bahujan Samaj Party workers were killed and dozens were injured in a stampede at Charbagh Railway station on September 28, 2002. The stampede took place as thousands of workers reached Lucknow for a BSP rally. According to reports, a commotion was caused when one of the rallyists fell on the foot over bridge and others tried to protect him from being trampled. In the chaos, the crowd was pushed downstairs, crushing those at the end of the staircase.
During this time, some of the passengers even climbed on the roof of the Sadbhawna Express and were electrocuted after coming in contact with a high tension wire.
ALSO READ: Delhi Station Stampede: How To Protect Yourself If Stuck In A Crowd Crush?
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