At least 10 persons were killed and scores injured in a stampede that broke out at the railway station here during the Maha Kumbh Mela on Sunday evening, officials said.
The incident occured at 7 p.m. near platform no 6, where a footbridge reportedly collapsed due to the heavy rush of pilgrims who had converged on the sangam for the Mauni Amavasya Snan.
Massive crowds surged to the railway station from 5 p.m. Reports said someone fell during the rush, causing others to topple over each other.
North Central Railway PRO Sandeep Mathur said the number of dead could go up.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed grief over loss of lives in the stampede and instructed the Railway Ministry to provide all possible assistance.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” Dr. Singh said.
The Central government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed, and Rs. 1 lakh each to the seriously injured pilgrims.
