Two killed, 14 injured in stampede on footbridge at Santragachhi station in Howrah, Mamata blames railways

At least two people died and 14 others were injured in a stampede following a heavy rush of passengers on a footbridge at Santragachhi junction in West Bengal's Howrah on Tuesday evening, said chief public relation officer of the South Eastern Railways Sanjay Ghosh. 

The incident took place when an express train and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time at around 6.30 pm and passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains, he said.

The Nagercoil-Shalimar Express and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time, while Shalimar-Vishakhapatnam Express and Santragachi-Chennai Express were scheduled to arrive shortly, Ghosh told news agency PTI.

The incident occurred between platform numbers two and three at Santragachi station of South Eastern Railway, about 10 km from Howrah station, he said.

A large number of passengers either deboarded or were waiting to board trains at the same time, leading to a rush on the foot overbridge.

While 11 injured persons were taken to Howrah General Hospital for treatment, three others were administered first aid at the station, he said. Several express trains stop at the station, apart from numerous EMU locals of SER.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the Railways of negligence and callousness over the stampede. Banerjee, who visited the station after the incident, said there should be more internal coordination to prevent such situation.

"I feel there is a gap in coordination and Railways should look into it, they should have given some time gap between the arrival of two trains when the passengers have to change platforms," she said.

"Such situations occur due to negligence and callousness, Railways should act in a more responsible way," Banerjee, who is a former Railway minister, said adding such situation do not occur if precautions are taken in advance.

Thousands of people use the station everyday since it is easier to travel to and from south and central Kolkata from Santragachi.

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