At least 2 people were killed and 15 injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station on Sunday afternoon, fire brigade officials and TV reports said. The incident occurred on Platform 12-13 at the railway station when people were trying to board the Bihar-bound Sampark Kranti Express. “Hundreds of passengers suddenly stormed toward a platform after an announcement that a train was arriving at a different area earlier than scheduled”, police official Mohammed Iqlaq said. “A 35-year-old woman, identified as Soni, and a 14-year-old boy died on way to the hospital,” he said. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Sunday expressed grief over the death of a woman and a boy. “She has been in constant touch with the medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital and has directed him to ensure best possible treatment to the injured,” said an official statement. The reports of injured varies from 15 to 40 people as the official status of the accident differs from local media reports. The stampede occurred at around 2:50 PM as soon as the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express arrived on Platform No 12. The train was scheduled to depart from Platform No 13. However, the platform was changed minutes before departure. Passengers pushed and jostled to move to Platform No 12 with their baggage which resulted in a stampede-like situation, officials said. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered an enquiry into the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station and announced a compensation of Rs 200000 ($4,420) to the next of kin of the deceased, besides Rs 50,000 (1,105) for those grievously injured. She instructed officials to ensure that strict action is taken against responsible for the stampede, a senior Railway Ministry official said. Railways will also pay Rs 15,000 ($331.492) to those who suffered minor injuries in the incident, the official said. Most rail stations in major Indian cities are crowded throughout the year but get exceptionally packed during the summer months, when schools close for breaks and people travel to visit friends and relatives. The state-run Indian Railways company tried to play down the incident. “There were a lot of people in the platform to catch the Bihar Sampark Kranti. There was huge rush. Nothing of a sort of stampede took place. The train has left the station. We rushed our people there but found nothing,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Railways) B.S. Gurjar told the media. But a probe has been ordered into the incident, he added. Passengers alleged that the platform of the train was changed without any announcement being made leading to chaos and stampede. The stampede happened at the staircase leading to the platforms. “I left my luggage and my shoes. I fell amidst 10 people and felt as if I was about to die,” said a Bihar-bound passenger. “The platform numbers were interchanged for two trains but no announcements were made. That's what caused the stampede,” said another passenger. Delhi Police also said the stampede took place after last minute changes in the platform numbers of the trains. “Interchange of trains between platform number 12 and 13 and passengers rushing to other platforms caused this stampede. Senior officers are investigating the incident,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.
