Allahabad Stampede

36 people died in a stampede at the Allahabad Railway station out of which 16 bodies are still to be identified. The death toll may also go up as several people got injured and are in critical condition at the Railway Hospital and Swaroop Rani Hospital in Allahabad.

The stampede occurred on Sunday evening (10th Feb 2013) around 7 pm on a footbridge between platform number 5 and 6 where more than 1.5 lakh people were at the station, returning back from Allahabad after a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Sunday was 'Mauni Amavasya' and it was considered the most auspicious day of bathing in the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The massive rush resulted in the breaking of the foot over bridge railing and consequently many passengers fell from the staircase, thus leading to a stampede. Allahabad District Magistrate Raj Shekhar said assured all possible help and treatment to injured people.

According to eyewitnesses, none of the senior railway police authorities or NCR officials came to the spot when the stampede occurred, even as many people cried for help. Others said that the railway police used light force to manage the crowd but it impacted into a commotion.

A few angry passengers misbehaved with reporters when the reached the station, resulting the railway authorities to restrict the entry of passengers at the Allahabad Junction.

The Uttar Pradesh Government ordered an inquiry into the stampede situation and sanctioned a sum of five lakh rupees each to the families of the dead. It also asked the Railways to make proper arrangements to manage the huge rush of devotees.



Last Updated on 11 Feb 2013