Death Toll Reaches 36 In India Railway Stampede

Death toll reaches 36 in India railway stampede < br />

2013-02-12 11:30:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

ALLAHABAD, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll has risen to at least 36 after a stampede Sunday at a railway station in northern India, local authorities said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening at around 7 p.m. local time when a pedestrian crossing bridge collapsed at the Allahabad railway station near platform 6 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Railway officials confirmed the number of deaths, which include 26 women and an 8-year-old girl. All of the fatal victims' bodies were transported to the Medical College Mortuary in Allahabad.

A large number of people gathered on the Sangam for the Mauni Amavasya Snan, but as train operations modified, confused users rushed to platforms, as reports said the large number of people rushing ultimately caused the bridge to collapse. Witnesses said people began tripping over each other, causing several of them being crushed during the stampede. In addition, help did not reach the scene for several hours.

Meanwhile, UP Cabinet Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, who was in charge of Kumbh Mela, resigned, taking moral responsibility for the stampede.

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