2 killed, 15 injured in stampede at New Delhi railway station

AGENCIES, May 16, 2010, 05.05pm IST

NEW DELHI: Two persons were on Sunday killed and at least 15 passengers injured when a last minute change of platform for a Patna-bound train triggered a stampede at the New Delhi railway station, facing summer rush.

The stampede was triggered at around 2:50pm as soon as the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express arrived on the 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.

A woman and a child were killed in the stampede. Around 15 people suffered injuries, fire brigade officials said.

"There were a lot of people on the platform to catch the train. The last minute change in the platform resulted in the stampede," an official said.

Police received a call about the incident at around 2:50pm and activated the rescue operation mechanism.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had said in a text message that police had reported to it about the stampede in the railway station in which "few people" were injured.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/2-killed-15-injured-in-stampede-at-New-Delhi-railway-station-/articleshow/5937159.cms