At least 20 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at Allahabad Junction on Sunday when a massive rush of devotees thronging the station to return to their homes led to a railing on a foot overbridge snapping, causing the crush. Railway authorities said there were more than 1.5 lakh people swarming the station and the tragedy occurred on platform number 6 at around 6.45 pm.
More than 20 people were also critically injured, and officials feared that the toll could climb. Most of those killed or wounded were elderly people. Making things worse was the lack of medical assistance available at the station and few railways staffers were present, it being a Sunday. The day saw more than three crore pilgrims taking the holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which marked the second Shahi Snan of Maha Kumbh.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief at the tragic incident. The UP government said it has set up a high-powered panel under senior IAS officer Jagan Mathews to probe the incident. It also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of victims. “I send my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” Manmohan Singh said.
Railway PRO Sandeep Mathur confirmed that the sudden surge of passengers at the station led to overcrowding on the foot overbridge. Many people also fell from the staircase, he said, refusing to confirm the number of those dead or critically injured.
According to reports, there were more than 6,000 people on the overbridge when it gave way.
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