Asphyxia, head trauma, blunt injuries led to Delhi stampede deaths: Autopsy

The autopsy report of the 18 victims who lost their lives in the February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has revealed that most deaths were caused by blunt force injuries to the skull and chest, asphyxia and cerebral damage.A senior police officer, speaking to The Tribune, said the preliminary findings indicated that some victims had suffered severe head injuries, others had broken ribs and many had died due to asphyxiation. The report, which provides a clearer picture of the tragic incident, will be submitted on Saturday before the two-member railway committee investigating the case.

The stampede unfolded on platform No 14, where an unusually large crowd had gathered to board the Prayagraj Express. In an attempt to ease congestion, railway authorities announced the arrival of another train, Prayagraj Special, on platform No 12. The sudden change triggered a frantic rush of passengers towards the foot overbridge, leading to a deadly stampede.

Chaos erupted as people struggled to make their way through the crowded staircase connecting the two platforms. In the mad rush, many lost their balance and fell, getting trampled by others trying to escape. Witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with men, in a desperate bid to save themselves, unintentionally crushing others underfoot. The force of the stampede caused crushed chests, ruptured lungs and fatal head injuries, particularly among women and elderly passengers.

Apart from the 18 fatalities, 15 people were injured, suffering a range of traumatic injuries, including fractures, dislocated shoulders and abdominal wounds. The injured, aged 16 to 59, included nine men and six women, many of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Among the severely injured, 59-year-old Ram Bahadur Yadav suffered a broken nasal bone and was initially taken to Hindu Rao Hospital before being transferred to LNJP Hospital for further treatment. Lal Babu, a 27-year-old passenger, sustained a broken kneecap, while 42-year-old Manisha Devi suffered a fractured inferior pubic rami. Other victims, like Seema Sharma (39), endured blunt trauma to her knee joint and lateral chest wall, while Vikas Kumar (26) sustained a deep wound to his lower abdomen. Several others suffered fractures in their legs, ankles and thighs, with some reporting dislocated shoulders and broken chest bones.

The autopsies were conducted at multiple hospitals across the city — five at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, 10 at Maulana Azad Medical College and three at Lady Hardinge Medical College.

The tragic incident at New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest railway hubs in the country, has raised serious concerns over crowd management and passenger safety. While authorities continue their probe, families of the victims demand answers, hoping that such a catastrophe is never repeated.