New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) The toll in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station has gone up to 18, with 12 others sustaining various degree of injuries, a hospital official said on Sunday.
Five children and 11 women are among the dead, said the Chief Casualty Medical Officer at LNJP Hospital.
"The death count is 18. It includes five children and 11 women. Twelve others have varied degrees of injuries," the official said.
Railways have announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the next of kin of the people who lost their lives. Those sustaining serious injuries will get compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh each, while those with minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh.
CPRO, Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said a high-level investigation was on into the Saturday night stampede. The situation was now normal.
"At the time of the incident, Patna-bound Magadh Express was standing on platform 14 and Jammu-bound Uttar Sampark kranti Express was standing on platform 15," he said
Himanshu said the incident occurred when a few passengers slipped on the stairs leading from the foot overbridge to the platform, and the passengers following them got caught in the stampede.
The situation was triggered by a huge rush of passengers arriving at the station to board special trains for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident on X. He stated, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.” UNI JA SSP