At least 18 lives lost in a catastrophic incident attributed to overcrowding and delayed trains.
**Tragedy Strikes at New Delhi Railway Station Amid Kumbh Mela Rush**
**Tragedy Strikes at New Delhi Railway Station Amid Kumbh Mela Rush**
Grieving families reveal harrowing experiences following deadly crush at the bustling station.
On Saturday night, the New Delhi Railway Station transformed from a busy hub of travel to a scene of tragedy as a stampede claimed at least 18 lives and left numerous others injured. The incident unfolded during a peak travel period due to delays in train schedules, particularly affecting those headed to the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu pilgrimage. According to railway officials, chaos erupted when a passenger slipped on the stairs, leading to a cascading effect of people falling and pushing against one another.
The overcrowded conditions at the station raised alarms and criticism from opposition leaders who pointed fingers at the Indian Railways for inadequate crowd management. As calls for an investigation began, authorities promised compensation for victims' families. “Let the investigation be completed first,” said Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, when asked about safety measures.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the events. Bipin Jha, who lost his wife, described the moment, saying, “She died in front of my eyes. I will live my life with the guilt of not saving her.” Meanwhile, Umesh Giri, another victim's husband, recalled the chaos of the crowd and the delay in assistance from authorities. The aftermath of the crush left many victims’ families struggling to cope with their loss and anger towards the lack of timely response.
Most victims were transferred to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, where emotional relatives faced the stark reality of their losses. Reports from the hospital indicated overcrowded conditions, with families expressing frustration over the inadequate care provided. As people mourned, calls have emerged for accountability and better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The incident has reignited discussions around crowd control in India, especially during large events, highlighting a recurring issue faced during religious festivals and public gatherings. Families are left to confront not only the grief of loss but also the longing for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.
The overcrowded conditions at the station raised alarms and criticism from opposition leaders who pointed fingers at the Indian Railways for inadequate crowd management. As calls for an investigation began, authorities promised compensation for victims' families. “Let the investigation be completed first,” said Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, when asked about safety measures.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the events. Bipin Jha, who lost his wife, described the moment, saying, “She died in front of my eyes. I will live my life with the guilt of not saving her.” Meanwhile, Umesh Giri, another victim's husband, recalled the chaos of the crowd and the delay in assistance from authorities. The aftermath of the crush left many victims’ families struggling to cope with their loss and anger towards the lack of timely response.
Most victims were transferred to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, where emotional relatives faced the stark reality of their losses. Reports from the hospital indicated overcrowded conditions, with families expressing frustration over the inadequate care provided. As people mourned, calls have emerged for accountability and better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The incident has reignited discussions around crowd control in India, especially during large events, highlighting a recurring issue faced during religious festivals and public gatherings. Families are left to confront not only the grief of loss but also the longing for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.
