A wrong platform announcement may have triggered confusion, leading to the surge of passengers. The incident occurred as thousands gathered to board trains for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is underway.
Passengers rushing to platforms 14 and 15 slipped on the footbridge stairs, resulting in a deadly crush. The Northern Railway’s CPRO stated that a passenger’s fall on the stairs initiated the tragic sequence of events.
Vendors and long-time station workers described the crowd as unprecedented and overwhelming. The Prayagraj Express was already packed when another train’s announcement sparked a sudden rush.
Many trains were delayed or cancelled, exacerbating congestion at the already overcrowded station. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the cause and circumstances of the disaster.
Authorities confirmed that no train services were cancelled or rerouted in the aftermath of the stampede. Distressed families arrived at hospitals to collect the bodies of their loved ones lost in the tragedy.
Delhi Police have begun examining CCTV footage to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the incident. Over 1,500 general tickets were sold per hour, significantly increasing the crowd pressure at the station.
Emergency response teams, including NDRF personnel, managed to bring the situation under control. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of seeing women and children trampled in the rush.
Delays in departures of other trains intensified congestion on multiple platforms, worsening the disaster. Investigations continue as railway officials assess measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
