ALLAHABAD: At least 10 persons were killed and scores of others injured on Sunday evening in a stampede at Allahabad railway station teeming with thousands of pilgrims returning after a holy dip at the Mahakumbh here.
According to divisional railway manager Harinder Rao, 10 people died and scores were injured in the mishap.
The stampede occurred at 7pm when Platforms No 5 and 6 were packed with thousands of passengers.
Eyewitnesses said the stamepede was triggered when the railing leading to the foot overbridge over platform number 6 collapsed when hundreds of passengers rushed to board a train. Three hours after the mishap bodies of 10 victims were lying on the platform.
They said there was a sudden surge of passengers ater an annoucement over the public address system about the arrival of a train. The platform number 6 was sealed by authorities.
There were reports of a lathicharge which compounded the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses claimed there was a lathicharge by police but Rao said the incident happened when passengers were being told to stand in a line to bring the movement of the crowd under control. The injured have been rushed to various hospitals. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled loss of lives in the tragey and instructed Railway ministry to provide all possible assistance. Singh also directed central government departments to extend all possible help to Uttar Pradesh government in relief operations. (PTI)