‘Never seen such a crowd’: Survivors recall horror of Maha Kumbh rush stampede at New Delhi Station – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Eyewitnesses at the New Delhi Railway Station recounted the horrific conditions that led to the lethal stampede killing at least 18 and injuring a number of on Saturday evening. The incident occurred when a giant crowd gathered at platforms 14 and 15, awaiting trains certain for Prayagraj, the place the Maha Kumbh is ongoing.
Speaking concerning the stampede, an eyewitness Ravi mentioned when folks at platform 13 noticed trains on platforms 14 and 15, they rushed in direction of these platforms. “The platforms of the trains weren’t modified, however the crowd was so big that it couldn’t be managed,” he mentioned.

One other recounted the horrific scene saying that the gang was past the restrict. “Such a big crowd wasn’t anticipated. I’ve by no means seen such a huge crowd at the railway station, even throughout the festivals. Folks from the administration and even NDRF personnel have been there, however when the gang exceeded the restrict, it wasn’t potential to manage them,” he mentioned.

A passenger who misplaced his mom within the stampede case alleged that no police have been there at the second. He mentioned, “My mom died within the stampede. The physician confirmed her dying. We have been going to our house in Chhapra, Bihar. We don’t know why this occurred, so many individuals got here all of a sudden and began pushing one another. There have been no police.”

A sergeant within the Indian Air Power (IAF) and an eyewitness, Ajit mentioned, “We’ve a tri-service workplace at the railway station. After I was returning after my responsibility I could not go as there was a big crowd. I attempted to persuade folks and in addition made bulletins interesting to folks to keep away from gathering on the platform in giant numbers. The administration was working arduous to stop any mishap, however nobody was listening. I additionally helped the injured folks with the assistance of one of my pals.”

At LNJP hospital, the brother of one of the victims, Sanjay mentioned, “We have been 12 folks going to Maha Kumbh. We hadn’t even reached the platform however have been at the steps. My household, together with my sister, have been caught within the crowd. We discovered her after half an hour and by the point she was useless.”