‘Quake dream’ triggers stampede at rail station

Student’s scream causes others to panic

Adream about a quake spurred a stampede in Bihar, landing at least 100 students in hospital. The incident took place at Biharsharif railway station in Nalanda district early Sunday morning.

As per reports, thousands of students had reached Biharsharif town to appear for a technical examination. While some stayed at a hotel, those who could not afford it took shelter at the railway station and waited for the next few hours to sit in the examination.

In the meanwhile, one of the students sleeping at the station dreamt of an earthquake and started screaming in his sleep. Meanwhile the rattling sound of asbestos sheets due to strong winds led the rest of the sleeping students to believe that it was a tremor and they started fleeing to save themselves, leading to a stampede.

Unable to write

Officials said at least 100 students suffered injuries in the stampede. The wounded were admitted to a local government hospital. Authorities said many students suffered fractures and could not write the examination.

“The stampede occurred due to ‘rumours’ about an earthquake and the injured students are being treated at the hospital,” local district magistrate Thiagrajan SM told the media yesterday.

Around 10,000 students hailing from various districts of Bihar had arrived for the examination which was being held at 13 centres.