Mumbai: Twenty-two people were killed and 36 injured in a stampede, reportedly triggered by rumours of an electrical short circuit following heavy rains, at Mumbai’s Elphinstone Road local railway station at 10.30 am on Friday morning.
Media reports suggest that tragedy struck at the foot over-bridge, between Elphinstone Road and Parel railway stations that was crowded due to peak morning hour commuter rush, when rumours of the short circuit on the bridge spread like wildfire leading to several people jumping off the bridge.
This caused panic amongst the commuters and led to more chaos and a stampede in the narrow space leading to many people being trampled under the feet of terrified travellers who wanted to escape.
Hundreds of commuters gathered on the narrow bridge to escape the rains. With the rains increasing in intensity, more people rushed to the bridge to take shelter. As confusion spread, in the crowded and confined space, people began stampeding leading to the death of several people, according to an eye-witness.
Other media reports suggest that following the rains, a part of the roof of the crowded foot over-bridge collapsed and that triggered off panic and the stampede.
Some people say that a commuter had slipped on the watery floor of the station and that also triggered the chaos.
Many people, to save themselves, had to hang precariously on the outside of the bridge to avoid being caught in the stampede.
Medical and rescue teams have rushed to the spot to provide assistance and relief. The injured have been taken to KEM Hospital, where the doctors pronounced that several commuters had been brought dead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister offered condolences to all those who have lost their lives in Mumbai stampede.
“My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured,” tweeted PM Modi. “Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge,” Devendra Fadnavis wrote on his Twitter handle.
