Mahakumbh tragedy: 20 killed at Allahabad railway station, 2 at mela area

ALLAHABAD: At least 20 persons were killed and scores of others injured on Sunday in a stampede at Allahabad railway station teeming with thousands of pilgrims returning after a holy dip at the Mahakumbh here.

A senior police officer and highly placed sources said 20 people died in the stampede that occurred at 7 pm when platforms no. 5 and 6 were packed with thousands of passengers.

Eyewitnesses said the stampede was triggered when the railing leading to the foot overbridge over platform no. 6 collapsed when several passengers rushed to board a train. They said there was a sudden surge of passengers after an announcement over the public address system about the arrival of a train.

The platform no. 6 was sealed by authorities. There were reports of a lathicharge which compounded the tragedy. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled loss of lives and instructed railway ministry to provide all possible assistance.

The UP government ordered an inquiry and asked the railways to make proper arrangements to clear rush of devotees. Earlier in the day, two pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the Mahakumbh here as over three crore people converged for a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, the most auspicious day during the 12-yearly congregation.

The stampede broke out in Sector 12 of the mela area, killing a woman hailing from Varanasi and a middle-aged man, who had come from Bengal, Sector Magistrate Abhay Raj said.