Mumbai: 22 killed in Elphinstone station overbridge stampede; 5 lac for kin of dead

Mumbai: 22 people were killed and 39 injured in a stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station's foot overbridge in Mumbai on Friday after heavy rain in the morning. 

The stampede took place around 10:30 am on the foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations, according to reports.  A police official said that the bridge was heavily crowded when the incident happened.

Following helpline numbers were released by the Western Railways: Churchgate  station- 22039840, Mumbai Central station- 23051665 and Elphinstone Road station- 24301614

The tragedy occurred shortly before railway minister Piyush Goyal reached Mumbai on Friday to launch new services for the Western Railway and Central Railway.

Senior Railway officers have reached Elphinstone station to monitor relief work.

Accident Relief Medical Equipment Train was rushed to the accident spot and immediate medical assistance was provided to the victims.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also reached the spot around 1 pm to assist in the rescue operation.

(Photo: ANI)

A Saxena, Director General (PR), Railways said that people waited at the station due to heavy rain. After the rain stopped, there was chaos to go out which resulted in the stampede.

Police also suspect that a short-circuit with a loud sound near the foot overbridge led to panic because of which people started running, resulting in the stampede.

Paramedics have taken the injured to KEM hospital, the police control room said.

"We are still inquiring into the exact reasons. It happened on the narrow staircase. All the injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals," police officer Niket Kaushik said.

Local people voiced concerns after death of 22 people in stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot overbridge.

Read: Elphinstone stampede: Angry commuters blame mishap on Railways, police

Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde announced  compensation of Rs 5 Lakhs each to the kin of those killed. He also said that the state government will bear medical expenses of those injured.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal expressed his grief at the tragic loss of innocent lives due to the stampede.

He also said that a high-level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways, has been ordered.

Read: Rail minister orders high-level probe, condemns Mumbai stampede

Earlier reports stated that there were calls for repairing the bridge which was narrow and not strong enough to take the busy crowd. 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed that a joint enquiry will be conducted by the Maharashtra government and the Railways Ministry and strict action will be taken for lapses.

President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences to the victims of the incident.

Read: Kovind, Modi condemn Elphinstone Road overbridge stampede

More details are awaited.