Gupteshwar Yadav Searches for Missing Wife (File Image)
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening has left several families shattered. Among them, 58-year-old Gupteshwar Yadav was seen pleading for help from media personnel while holding up a photo of his wife on his mobile phone. His face reflected despair and helplessness as he frantically searched for any clue about her whereabouts.
Narrating the harrowing experience, Gupteshwar Yadav said, "I had come to Delhi with my elder brother and wife from Uttar Pradesh. We were waiting at Platform 13 for our train to Prayagraj when an announcement stated that the train would now depart from Platform 14. This sudden change created panic and confusion."
As they attempted to move toward Platform 14 amidst the rushing crowd, he held his wife's hand tightly. However, in the ensuing chaos, a powerful surge of people separated them. Since then, he has been desperately searching for her.
Delhi: Gupteshwar Yadav, an eyewitness whose wife went missing due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, says, "We had come up to this point, but in the middle, I lost hold of her hand. She was at one gate, and I was at the other...I kept waiting for her..." pic.twitter.com/yebLrsvxWA
— IANS (@ians_india) February 16, 2025
According to officials, 18 people lost their lives in the tragic incident, while many others sustained injuries. Gupteshwar Yadav searched hospitals including LNJP Hospital, RML Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, but was unable to find any trace of his wife.
Gupteshwar’s younger brother, Cheteshwar Yadav, expressed his anger at the lack of management by railway authorities. "When panic broke out, there was no railway official to help. People were screaming for assistance, but no one stepped forward," he alleged. He also pointed out that instead of aiding the injured, many bystanders chose to record videos on their mobile phones. However, some young travelers did attempt to control the crowd.
Authorities stated that the stampede was triggered due to the late arrivals of trains, including the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, leading to massive congestion at Platforms 13, 14, and 15. A sudden announcement that a special train to Prayagraj would now depart from Platform 16 further escalated the situation.
A police source revealed, "A train bound for Prayagraj was already stationed at Platform 14. The announcement of another train at Platform 16 caused confusion among passengers. In the rush to reach the newly designated platform, panic ensued, and a stampede broke out."
A senior railway official explained that the tragedy unfolded when passengers crossing the foot overbridge slipped and fell, creating a domino effect. This resulted in an uncontrollable stampede that claimed 18 lives and injured several others. Authorities have now launched an investigation into the incident and have increased security at the railway station.
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