Swelling crowd and continuing sale of tickets led to Delhi stampede
The Hindu
Railway authorities issued about 1,500 general (unreserved tickets) every hour to Prayagraj and there was no access control. Passengers were allowed into the station premises from all entry points.
The swelling crowd of pilgrims and railways continuing to issue tickets to Prayagraj is being seen as the main reason for Saturday’s (February 15, 2025) stampede at New Delhi railway station that left 18 passengers dead and many others injured.
According to railway sources, even as a large gathering of people was waiting on Platform 14 to board a train to Prayagraj, sale of tickets continued at the counters. Railway authorities issued about 1,500 general (unreserved tickets) every hour to Prayagraj and there was no access control. Passengers were allowed into the station premises from all entry points.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that about 2,600 people had booked tickets to Prayagraj between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Shortly before 9.15 p.m., the stampede occurred after a large number of pilgrims waiting to board a train to Pyaragraj on Platform No 14 started moving following a confusion in announcements. However, railway officers said no such announcement was made that could have caused the confusion.
Also read | Delhi stampede: A list of major stampedes in India
The pilgrims rushed towards another 16 by using the foot over bridge. Since dozens of people, including women and children, were sitting there (the bridges) the rush resulted in the stampede.
Hundreds of passengers on Platform 13 were stranded there after their train - New Delhi to Dharbanga Swatantrata Senani Express - was delayed and rescheduled to start around midnight, the sources added.
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