22 people lost their lives while 32 people have been injured in a stampede that occurred at Elphinstone Road Station at 10:50 am during the morning rush hour due to a sudden shower.
People ran to take cover under the overhead bridge when someone shouted that the bridge was about to collapse. The panic caused by the comment lead to a stampede. Those stuck in the middle of the stairs were the worst hit and suffered major injuries.
The injured were rushed to nearby KEM hospital in which 15 were declared bought dead while the others died while undergoing treatment. Out of those dead 13 are men, 8 women and 1 child. The other 33 injured are undergoing treatment out of which there are 24 men and 9 women.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has said that a compensation of 5 lakhs will be given to the kin of the deceased and all medical costs of the injured will be borne by the state. He also tweeted his condolence to those dead or injured in the stampede.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolence and offered prayers for the deceased.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal instantly left for Mumbai to review the situation. He first visited the victims at KEM Hospital and later went to the station to assess the situation. He has said the overhead bridge at Elphinstone Station will be expanded effective immediately and work should start soon.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray also arrived at the KEM Hospital to meet with the victims. Shiv Sena Member of Parliament and spokesperson Sanjay Raut went on to say that the stampede at Elphinstone Station is a ‘public massacre’ by the government.
CM Fadnavis has promised that an enquiry will be conducted by the Maharashtra Government along with the Ministry of Railways and strict action will be taken.
President Kovind tweeted saying ” Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured”.
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