Two persons were killed and at least 15 passengers injured on Sunday when a last-minute change of platform for a Patna-bound train triggered a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, facing summer rush.
The stampede was triggered at around 2:50pm as soon as the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express arrived on the Platform No
12. The train was scheduled to depart from Platform No 13. However, the platform was changed minutes before departure.
Passengers pushed and jostled to move to platform No 12 with their baggage which resulted in a stampede-like
situation, officials said. A woman and a child were killed in the stampede. Around 15 people suffered injuries, fire brigade officials said.
"There were a lot of people on the platform to catch the train. The last-minute change in the platform resulted in
the stampede," an official said.
Police received a call about the incident at around 2:50 pm and activated the rescue operation mechanism.
The deceased woman is aged 35 and hails from Uttar Pradesh's Bahadurgarh. The child, who died in the incident, is
about ten years old and yet to be identified, officials said.
"There were two trains -- Sapkranti and Vikramsila Express -- which were to leave platforms 12 and 13 around the same time. The platforms for the trains were interchanged at the last minute and this led to the confusion," a senior police
official said.
Bhudla Kutty, General Manager of Northern Railways, said the Railways will enquire into the incident.
Imran, who was to board the Patna-bound train, fell down while trying to enter it.
"I was to go to Bhagalpur. The last-minute change of the platform led to this incident. We started running as soon
as we came to know that the train is coming on another platform," he said.
Sumitra Devi, another stranded passenger, said, "I have a wedding at my home. We were taking clothes and other
materials for the marriage. My uncle is injured in the incident. We have nothing left. All our belongings got lost in
the incident. How will we marry off our daughter."
