BBC Hindi, Delhi
On Sunday night, the New Delhi Railway Station in India’s capital looked much like it usually does, buzzing, with its many websites full of eager, restless people waiting to get their carriages.
But on Saturday night, a deadly crush – reportedly caused by overcrowding – killed at least 18 people and left several injured.
Two trains had been delayed at the station, according to authorities, and a third, which was headed to Prayagraj area where the enormous Hindu religious celebration, Kumbh Mela, is taking place, was waiting to exit as persons pushed against each other.
According to a spokeswoman for Indian Railways,” a customer slipped and fell on the steps.”
Opposition leaders have criticized the government, accusing Indian Railways of not making enough arrangements to accommodate the station’s crowds.
Government have announced payment for the victims, and an investigation has been launched.
Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, said “let the investigation remain completed first” when asked by the BBC about safety and security at the place.
Crushes like these are not unheard of in India, where there is frequent overcrowding at religious events, festivals and public spaces. Last month, 30 people were killed and dozens injured in a crush at the Kumbh Mela.
Trains are by far the most affordable long-distance mode of transportation in India, and it is popular for the number of people to far exceed the capacity of carriages.
Eyewitnesses and the victims ‘ families have been sharing their experiences. Many of them reacted indignantly to the government and police at the railroad station, who they claim did not act in due course.
Some witnesses claimed that the lover occurred on the overhead bridge, staircases, and platforms but wasn’t limited to one location.
Bipin Jha and his family Mamta were arriving on a train at the place when they met. She died in the love.
When she was ensnared in the love, I met her at the program and we were walking on the bridge costs. She passed away in my eye. He declares,” I will live my life with the guilt of never saving her.”
” We were on the staircase, immediately we felt a force from behind. We fell, along with many others, and were trapped under body. I was little breathing”, said Seema, whose sister-in rules Pinky Devi died on the stair.
Usha Devi, who was travelling to the northeast state of Bihar for her brother’s marriage, said conflict erupted the time she reached the system.
” Many people fell. Everyday, there were scattered items, food items and clothing. I was on the point of fainting. So many people were collapsing. The audience was so thick that we don’t table our train”.
Abhinav GoelUmesh Giri’s family Shilam Devi was among the patients.
” The throng became uncontrollable”, he told BBC Hindi while waiting outside the funeral at Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College.
” I saw a number of bodies lying it,” she said. Citizens were colliding with each other, and people started falling over them”, said Mr Giri, who was also injured.
He continued, stating that it took time for support to reach and that he appealed for assistance from police.
The BBC requested comment from senior officers and railroad leaders at the scene, but they did not.
The most recent incident occurred at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in New Delhi, where officers and military forces were stationed, and the railroad officials established a help desk to help households. On Saturday, journalists were denied entry to the doctor.
Victims ‘ friends expressed anger at the hospital’s facilities while expressing their pain to reporters outside who were waiting.
” Many people were crammed onto a single sleep”, alleged Shobha, the sister-in-law of Shilam Devi.
This was confirmed by other hospital-going patients as well. The BBC requested post, but the doctor did not.
At Lady Hardinge Hospital, the grieving relatives of Riya, 7, completed the papers so they could get her brain.
” No child deserves to die like this”, her uncle Vivek said, wiping away tears.