At least 18 people, including 14 women and children, were killed in a stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the New Delhi Railway Station. Several people were also injured in the fateful incident.
The stampede was preceded by a swell in crowd on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the railway station where passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Eyewitnesses have said that there was a huge unexpected rush at the station which led to the stampede with several passengers fainting due to suffocation. Platform 14 was already crowded as as people were waiting for the Prayagraj Express to depart, while Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were also delayed, as a result of which platform numbers 12, 13, and 14 got overcrowded. The situation became uncontrollable with people pushing and jostling to make way, leading to mayhem.
The stampede in Delhi came days after a similar incident unfolded in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya where 30 people lost their lives and around 60 others were injured as massive crowds rushed for the ‘Amrit Snan’ at the Sangam area in the wee hours on January 29.
But, how does one decide what to do to save oneself if stuck in overcrowded places where possibility of stampede remains high?
Often times people visit places such as railway stations or mass gatherings where people are present in large numbers at a specific location for a specific purpose. These gatherings might be planned, but sometimes they can be spontaneous, like in the case of the New Delhi Railway station incident. These situations can pose risks for attendees as there is a possibility of getting injured due to massive footfall.
Crowd crushes usually take place when density reaches a critical threshold of about six people per square metre, where it becomes difficult for them to even inflate their lungs as they are squeezed to such an extent against each other.
Here are some of the things mentioned in US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that one can follow if stuck in a crowd crush at a mass gathering:
- Research the event before attending
It is advisable to research the venue properly before attending any event. While open street celebrations usually have fewer security measures, one should check for the nearest entrance and exit options once inside the venue. Make a mental note of the exits.
In case of an unexpected crowd crush situation, look for exists nearby and quicker escape route once the crowd begins to swell. If possible climb a fence or a tree to have a better view.
The most common case of deaths in a crowd crush happen due to compressive asphyxia, which happens when people are unable to breathe as they are firmly pushed against one another, contricting the airflow.
In such cases, saving oxygen is important. Avoid screaming and control your breathing. Try to lift your head above the crowd to get more air.
- Stand in a boxing position
Keep a firm footing and fold your hands in front of your chest like a boxer if you feel the pressure starting to rise from all sides. This boxer position protects the ribcage and provides space for the lungs to breathe, which prevents suffocation.
CDC suggests that one should not resist the force when pushed from the back during a crowd crush. Instead, you should let yourself be carried by the force of the crowd and focus on maintaining your balance.
- Use the edge of the crowd to exit
Try to work your way diagonally to the crowd’s edge when there is a lull in movement.
- Curl up or lie on your side upon falling
In case you fall down during the crush, protect your lungs first by lying on your left side, says Paul Wertheimer, a crowd safety expert. Lying down flat increases the risk of chest compression as people might fall on top of you.
The CDC also suggests curling into a ball in order to protect your chest upon falling.
