At least 22 commuters were killed and 39 others were injured in a stampede on a foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station in Mumbai on Friday. President Ram Nath Kovind expressed sorrow over the death of 22 people. He said, “Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured”.
The incident happened took 10:45 am caused by rush between Elphinstone and Lower Parel railway stations. Compensation of 5 lakhs each will be given to kin of those dead and government will bear the medical expenses of injured, BJP leader Vinod Tawde said.
Medical help was sent to the accident spot and speedy medical aid was provided to the victims. The injured were taken to KEM hospital. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also reached the spot to assist in the rescue operation.
The cause of the stampede was yet to be known. While railway officials said it happened due to sudden rain as people waited at station and when rain stopped there was chaos to go out, police, said they suspect a short circuit with a loud sound near the bridge. This led to panic and people started running that resulted in the stampede.
