A man breaks down after the stampede between Mumbai's Parel and Elphinstone stations (AFP)
At least 22 people have been killed and over 30 seriously injured
in a stampede that broke out at a narrow foot overbridge near a local train station in Mumbai after heavy rain this morning. The incident took place around 10.30 am during rush hour near a ticket window between Parel and Elphinstone stations. Many events coincided to produce a tragedy that many say could have been avoided, had successive governments heeded warnings. Four trains arrived around the same time, and a huge crowd tried to get out. The bridge was already crowded after sudden, heavy rain that had people scurrying for cover. Some say a loud bang after a short circuit led to panic. A witness said there were rumours of the old bridge collapsing. Within moments, many were crushed and injured.
Here are the updates on the stampede incident near Mumbai's Elphinstone Station:
Devendra Fadnavis Visits KEM Hospital
"It was a very sad and a serious incident. An inquiry will be done into the incident," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said after visiting KEM Hospital.
Suresh Prabhu Ignored Alarm Bells: Congress
The Congress party said former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ignored all alarm bells on Elphinstone and let a man-made disaster unfold. "Is public safety not a concern for BJP ministers?" the Congress tweeted on its official handle.
Mamata Banerjee Expresses Condolence
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed her condolences on the Mumbai stampede deaths and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. "Saddened at the loss of lives in Mumbai. Prayers for the injured to recover. Condolences to the families who lost loved ones," said Ms Banerjee, a former Railway Minister.
Sonia Gandhi Expresses Shock At Mumbai TragedyCongress President Sonia Gandhi today
expressed shock and anguish over the death of 22 people in the stampede in Mumbai. "Anguished at Elphinstone tragedy, my condolences to those who lost their lives. Wishing an early recovery to the injured," the Congress tweeted, quoting Sonia Gandhi. In a statement, the Congress chief said, "Such accidents could have been avoided had there been proper planning and concern for safety issues."
Shiv Sena Calls Mumbai Stampede 'Massacre'
The Shiv Sena today criticised its ally BJP and called the stampede a "public massacre", news agency IANS reported. "The stampede on the foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station is a public massacre of the people by the government," Shiv Sena parliamentarian Sanjay Raut told reporters. Mr Raut said instead of the bullet train, the government should first pay attention to basic rail safety.
Policemen check the foot overbridge where the stampede happened (AFP)
Another Shiv Sena parliamentarian Rahul Shewale said he had written to former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in April 2015 demanding that the width of the overbridge where the stampede happened should be widened due to safety concerns. Mr Shewale said Suresh Prabhu rejected his request citing lack of funds and operational constraints, news agency IANS reported.
Additional Foot Overbridge At Elphinstone Sanctioned: Railway Official
One additional foot overbridge at a cost of Rs 9.5 crore has already been sanctioned by the Railway Ministry for Mumbai's Elphinstone station and a tender has been floated, a railway official said, news agency ANI reported.
Government Didn't Listen To 'Constructive Suggestions': Lalu Yadav
RJD chief Lalu Yadav has alleged the government did not pay attention to "constructive suggestions" on improving railway safety. In a series of tweets, Lalu Yadav said he has written three letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the railway minister in the last three years highlighting the "miserable condition of IR (Indian Railways)". Mr Yadav, who was Railway Minister in UPA-I, said railway infrastructure is old and overburdened, which needs "renovation and replacement". "It must be the priority rather than bullet train," Lalu Yadav said.
Opposition Parties Seek Judicial Probe
Opposition parties in Maharashtra have sought a judicial enquiry into today's stampede, news agency IANS reported. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan visited the railway station and met with the families of those who died in the stampede. "This is a very grave tragedy. The government must order a judicial probe into it and take stringent action against those responsible," he said. Nationalist Congress Party legislator Jitendra Awhad targeted the ruling BJP for allegedly ignoring issues concerning the safety of Mumbai railway commuters.
19 Of 22 Killed In Mumbai Stampede Identified
Nineteen of the 22 people killed in the stampede at a railway foot overbridge have been identified, a civic official said, news agency PTI reports. "We carried out a detailed verification of documents and ascertained the identity of 19 victims so far," said IA Kundan, Additional Municipal Commissioner. A help desk has been set up at KEM Hospital to identity those who died in the stampede.
Compensation of Rs. 1 lakh for those grievously injured
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the grievously injured persons and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered minor injuries in the incident. He also announced a complete 'safety and capacity' audit of all the FOBs across the suburban train network. Mr Goyal also said an inquiry report of the incident will come in 10 days.
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Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal visits KEM hospital following his visit to the stampede site.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reaches KEM Hospital where those injured in the stampede have been admitted.
Piyush Goyal visits stampede spot
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal visited the spot of the stampede in Mumbai and paid condolences to the family of the deceased. The minister said a high-level probe has been ordered into the matter and the ministry is taking stock of the situation. "We will take whatever steps are required to be taken," he said.
Elphinstone Railway Station Stampede: Mumbai Tragedy After 4 Trains Came At Same Time: Official - 10 Facts
22 people have been killed and over 30 seriously injured in a stampede that broke out in Mumbai this morning during peak office hours on bridge in linking two suburban train stations. The incident took place at around 10:30 am on the foot over-bridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took note of the tragedy and said the situation is being continuously monitored. Visuals showed people on the ground and passers-by dragging the injured down the bridge. Thousands of commuters use the two stations and the bridge everyday as many officers are in the area."
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announces Rs 5 lakh compensation- My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and got affected.
- Spoke to Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Mumbai; asked them to reach hospital to monitor and ensure that everyone gets all the help.
- Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is also on way and is reaching at the earliest.
- Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken.
- ₹5 lakh announced for the next of the relatives of deceased and all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by GoM.
Video of the incident22 Dead, Many Injured In Stampede Near Mumbai's Elphinstone Station | NDTV.com Video | Twenty two people were killed and over 30 seriously injured in a rush-hour stampede after heavy rain in Mumbai this morning, as a crowd tried to leave a narrow foot over-bridge connecting two busy train stations."
Overcrowding lead to stampede. 22 bodies recovered so far: Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Region
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who visited the scene, said it was the responsibility of the Western Railway authorities to ensure commuters' safety.
Shortage of blood in KEM Hospital. B- and AB- blood groups needed, reports news agency ANI
BMC helpline numbers: Call 022 24136051, 022 24107020, 022 24131419.
Elphinstone railway station opens telephone helplines: 24136051, 24107020, 24131419
Local trains are the lifeline for the 20 million people of Mumbai and accidents are common on the busy network.
Angry commuters and residents said the bridge is too old and narrow and not strong enough to take the busy sector. "It was a disaster waiting to happen," remarked a local resident, saying that the station has been overcrowded and there have been multiple demands for more such bridges.
"I have been travelling for five-six years. It has always been like this. We have no choice but to use this bridge...where else can we go? No one listens to us," said a woman commuter.
22 people have been confirmed dead in the stampede.
Due to sudden rain, people waited at station. When rain stopped there was chaos to go out. This is when the stampede occured: A.Saxena,DG PR,Railway
According to a railway spokesperson, four trains came at the same time and due to the rain, a few women commuters slipped, which triggered chaos in the surging crowd.
The two stations are used by much of Mumbai's local train commuters as there are a large number of offices in the area.
"We are still inquiring into the exact reasons. It happened on the narrow staircase. All the injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals," said police officer Niket Kaushik.
Officials of the railway, police and fire brigade are carrying out the rescue operations.
Three persons were brought dead to the KEM Hospital in Parel.
The tragedy took place amid rain in the city around 10.40 am when the foot overbridge was heavily crowded, a police official said. Police suspect a short-circuit with a loud sound near the foot overbridge led to panic and people started running, resulting in the stampede.
The cause of the stampede which happened at 10.45 a.m. was being probed.
Police said that the stampede took place at the staircase
Fifteen people have been confirmed to be dead in the stampede incident
The stampede took place on foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations in Mumbai
Early visuals showed people on the ground, many not moving at all, and attempts to revive them with water and first aid. Passengers were seen carrying the injured down the bridge.
Early visuals showed people on the ground, many not moving at all, and attempts to revive them with water and first aid. Passengers were seen carrying the injured down the bridge.
The incident took place around 10.45 am during rush hour near the Parel and Elphinstone stations