New Delhi station stampede highlights: What transpired after the tragic incident?

Saturday’s stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has dredged up chilling memories of previous tragedies at the same location, raising concerns over passenger safety.

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A high-level meeting involving senior Delhi Police officials was held at the DCP Railways office in the national capital on Sunday to discuss the initial inquiry report into the February 15 stampede incident at the New Delhi Railway station. 

Further, the Delhi Police have initiated inquest proceeding on the railway station stampede and the inquiry is being headed by a DCP rank officer.

According to Delhi Police Sources, as per the Standard Operating Procedure, six additional companies were supplied by the Police Head Quarters (PHQ) to control the stampede-like situation while the SHO was instructed to set up additional barricades.

Poonam Devi, a relative of one of the deceased in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, arrived at LNJP Hospital mortuary on Sunday to receive the body of her family member.

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Addressing a public rally on Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, "...An unfortunate incident took place at New Delhi Railway Station yesterday. I pay my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives."

The Railways on Sunday named two senior officials who will be part of the committee investigating the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. The committee includes Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Northern Railway.

The inquiry committee has begun its investigation and has ordered the preservation of all video footage from the station.

The Railways initiated the inquiry on Saturday following the tragic stampede, which claimed 18 lives.

Congress party has criticised the NDA-led Central government, asking why there were no arrangements for crowd management and why more trains were not run.

A majority of the victims who sustained injuries in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede have suffered lower limb injuries while others suffered from bone injuries, as per official sources. The injured admitted to the LNJP hospital in the national capital have been discharged by the doctors after primary treatment. A team of 15 doctors is currently taking care of the injured patients.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. He blamed the ministry of railways and said that the accident took place due to their negligence.

In a post on X CM Mann said, "Received the sad news of the death of passengers during the stampede last night at the New Delhi railway station. We pray to God for the eternal peace of the passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. This accident is the result of the negligence of the Ministry of Railways. It is a pity that no care is being taken for the precious lives of people in the capital of the country."

A grieving Poonam Devi recounts the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, triggered by a sudden platform change announcement, as she arrives at LNJP Hospital to collect her relative’s body.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and announced ex gratia for the kin of the deceased hailing from the eastern state.

"The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured," a statement issued by the CMO said.

The Congress on Sunday accused the government of attempting to hide the truth about the deaths in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, and said it has once again highlighted the "failure" of the Railways and the "insensitivity" of the government. As many as 18 people lost their lives in a stampede overnight at the New Delhi Railway Station.

Condoling the death of people in the incident, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was extremely shameful and condemnable that the Modi government was attempting to "hide the truth" about the deaths.

Former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, on Sunday, said that the Railway's mismanagement led to the stampede at the New Delhi railway station that claimed the lives of at least 18 people.

"The incident is very unfortunate and I offer my condolences to the victims. This is a mismanagement by the Railway that led to the loss of so many lives. The Railway Minister should take responsibility," the RJD chief told ANI.

When asked about his suggestion regarding crowd management for the Mahakumbh, he said, "Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh (Kumbh has no meaning. Kumbh is useless)."

Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay on Sunday said that a passenger coming towards platforms 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs, and many passengers standing behind him were hit, leading to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. The CPRO also said that the matter is being investigated by a high-level committee.

Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, stated, "When this tragic incident took place yesterday, at that time, Magadh Express going towards Patna was standing on platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station and Uttar Sampark Kranti going towards Jammu was standing on platform number 15. During this, a passenger coming towards platforms 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs, and many passengers standing behind him were hit, and this tragic incident took place. This is being investigated by a high-level committee."

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said in a post on X, "The tragic death of the devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is unfortunate and painful. May God give peace to their souls. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the accident."

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Sunday blamed the 'negligence' of the Railways for the stampede at the New Delhi railway station that killed at least 18 people and left many others injured.

"It is very sad that due to the serious negligence of the railways, many people died and got injured in a stampede amidst the crowd gathered at New Delhi Railway Station to go to Prayagraj Maha Kumbh," Mayawati said in a post on X.

"My deepest condolences to the victims. The government should take action against the culprits and also provide full help to the victims," she added.

Expressing condolences over the deaths at New Delhi Railway Station following a stampede, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday demanded an independent, judicially-monitored SIT to investigate the tragedy. In a post on X, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP also sought an independent inquiry into the "systemic failures" of the Indian Railways.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC expressed her sorrow over the incident in New Delhi where 18 people died in a stampede on Saturday. She stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, and the police are investigating the case.

"This is extremely unfortunate news. 18 people, including 14 women, died in the stampede. The Delhi Police is investigating this accident, and PM Narendra Modi is regularly monitoring the situation... We want the truth to come out soon, and the administration should take adequate action," she said.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station.

Visuals from outside the Maulana Azad Medical College and Hospital mortuary where bodies of those who died in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede have been kept.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, "The incident is extremely unfortunate where 18 people died. All of them were going to Maha Kumbh. The Railway has formed a committee to investigate the cause of the incident, and action will be taken against the accused. The Prime Minister has also taken cognisance."