Two killed in stampede at New Delhi railway station

Two persons were killed and eight injured today in a stampede triggered by a last minute change in platforms for two trains at the New Delhi railway station, facing summer rush.

The stampede occurred at around 2:45pm after an announcement was made about the change of platforms for Delhi-Muzaffarpur Sapt Kranti Express and Delhi-Bhagalpur Vikramsila Express.

A 35-year-old woman Soni, hailing from Bhagalpur, and a boy, about 10-12 years of age who is yet to be identified, died in the incident. Eight persons, including three women, were injured, an official said.

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee ordered an inquiry into the incident, asking officials to take strict action against those responsible and announced a compensation of Rs2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

"We do not know whether it is a sabotage or rumour or negligence. Whatever is the case, a high-powered committee will go into the details as to what happened and who all are responsible for it," the minister said in Kolkata.

Ashwini Luhani, Divisional Railway Manager, said, "The train (Sapt Kranti) which was to come at platform 13 came at 12 and the train (Vikramsila) which was to come at platform 12 came at 13."

"The two trains were to leave at around 2:45 pm. The platforms for the trains were interchanged at the last minute and this led to the confusion," a senior police official said.

Passengers pushed and jostled to move to the other platform with their baggage, the official said.

"There were a lot of people. Someone fell on the foot-over-bridge and then people started pushing each other resulting in the stampede," another official said.

Anil Banerjee, Medical Superintendent of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (LNJP), said ten persons were brought to the hospital where two were declared brought dead.

According to a senior official, the platforms of the trains were changed after an engine of a train stationed at Platform No 15 developed technical problems.

"So the Rajdhani which was to come at Platform 15 was sent to Platform No 12 leading to shifting of Vikramsila Express to Platform No 13," the official said.

A three-member panel comprising D K Shukla, Arvind Kumar and Ratan Chand will conduct the enquiry into the incident.

Imran, who was to board the Patna-bound train, fell down while trying to enter it.

 "I had 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 were lost in the incident. How will we marry off our daughter."

Manish Gupta said he had to leave his belongings to save himself. "We did not bother to collect our baggage. The scene was so scary and we ran for our lives."

"I felt like I was going to die. I lost my shoes and luggage," another passenger said.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit condoled the death of two persons and directed LNJP hospital authorities to provide best medical care to the injured, officials said.

The BJP lashed out at Banerjee saying that nothing better could be expected from an "absentee" railway minister and the death of innocents at Delhi railway station was "inexcusable and unpardonable".

"BJP feels the prime minister owes an explanation to the indifference and absenteeism of the Railway minister," party spokesman Rajeev Pratap Rudy said.

The Congress defended Banerjee saying it is upto the officials in-charge of the station to supervise the crowd during the rush season.

Party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, however, said that "the railway minister should take note of the tragic incident" and ensure that such incidents so not recur.

Banerjee said the Railways were facing a summer rush. "1.8 crore people travel by Railways in 17,000 trains. Everywhere there is a summer rush and being a Akshay Tritiya today so many people go to their villages. Sometimes this can happen due to rumour."

The minister also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured. A railway officials in New Delhi said Rs15,000 will be given to those who suffered minor injuries in the incident.