Two dead, 12 injured in stampede at Bengal railway foot overbridge


Kolkata, Oct 23 (IANS): Two people were killed and a dozen others including two children badly injured in a stampede at a railway foot overbridge at Santragachhi station in Howrah on Tuesday, police said.

"Two people have been killed and 12 others injured in the unfortunate incident. Two persons are critical, and one of them is in the ICU. We ar shifting the other one to the SSKM hospital," said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the Howrah General Hospital where the injured are being treated.

She said that the other injured people were stable.

The stampede occurred around 6 p.m. when the passengers hurriedly tried to cross the foot overbridge between two platforms following an announcement of two trains coming simultaneously on two adjacent tracks.

Banerjee said that arrival of an express train was also announced.

She announced that there would be an administrative probe into the incident.

The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured.

The mishap occurred just four days after 59 people were killed when a train crushed them as they stood on rail tracks watching Ravana effigies go up in flames during Dussehra celebrations in Amritsar.

Banerjee alleged that the announcement regarding the change of platforms was made minutes before the trains arrived.

"The incident happened in the premises of Indian Railways. They will be able to say why they made public announcements of so many trains simultaneously."

Banerjee alleged that there was a lack of coordination on the part of the Railways, compromising the security of innocent people.

"Security of people should not be compromised, and Railway should take proper care of the people. Railways is the lifeline of the country, it should not be derailed," said the Chief Minister.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Wed, Oct 24 2018

    The urgency of the passengers to cross over the bridge to catch the train might have resulted with this stampede and death which is really unfortunate.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Wed, Oct 24 2018

    These type of accidents happening in India is nothing but destiny. We are simply a overpopulated country and we are not able to match the facilities with the need of the time. Density of population is 408 in India per square km, which shows, unless drastic steps are taken, this type of accidents are not by divine, but man made.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • RkR, Mangalore/ Dubai

    Tue, Oct 23 2018

    Digital rail system will change the scenario, large number of people wait in queue - booking tickets.

    Should make necessary arrangement such that people can buy second class ticket through online mode. As reservation once.
    Last minute crowd handling in peak hours can be maintained.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Two dead, 12 injured in stampede at Bengal railway foot overbridge



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