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At lelast 14 people were killed and more than 20 injured in a stampede at Lucknow railway station tonight as thousands were returning home a...

At lelast 14 people were killed and more than 20 injured in a stampede at Lucknow railway station tonight as thousands were returning home after attending a BSP rally in the city.

Additional DGP (law and order) D.P. Sinha said the tragedy occurred at the railway overbridge when some people took the stairs while going towards platform number 7 and suddenly fell, causing panic in the crowd.

The rallyists, eyewitnesses said, were trying to board the overcrowded Sadbhavana Express and the Doon Express leaving platform numbers 7 and 8. There was confusion at the station to the extent that many passengers who had reserved tickets could not board the trains.

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Another version, according to an agency report, was that some people accidentally got in touch with a live wire. The crowd had not eased hours after the stampede with some people were seen squatting on the tracks.

Eight bodies have been recovered so far and sent to the mortuary, railway officials said. The condition of 10 people in hospital is said to be serious.

Entry to Charbagh station has been stopped and the rallyists are being diverted to the bus station for their onward journey home, officials said. Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered an inquiry and announced ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each.

Officials said that the BSP supporters had been camping in and around the railway station since yesterday. More than five lakh people had arrived in Lucknow from all over the state. They reportedly prevented other passengers from alighting and boarding trains and even blocked the platforms.

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The railways have set up a separate information cell at the station. The telephone numbers of the cell are (0522) 635511 and 636182.