Over 22 dead, several injured in stampede at Parel railway station

Mumbai, September 29: An incident of stampede was reported in Mumbai near Parel station following a heavy rain. At least 22 have been reported dead and more than 60 injured in the stampede on a bridge connecting Parel and Elphinstone.

Western Railway PRO confirmed that the stampede occurred due to heavy rain. The Elphinstone stampede took place at around 11 am. Accident relief and medical equipment have been made available for affected people.

Meanwhile, Police officials said the stampede was triggered by a rumour that a pedestrian overpass collapsed after concrete chunks fell. Chaos prevailed as people surged forward to leave the bridge.

KEM hospital officials said that some more people have been injured in the incident and the fatalites could go up. Passenger associations have been asking for a bigger railway bridge for more than two decades now.

Anil Saxena, railway spokesman told the media that the government has ordered an investigation to ascertain reasons that led to the stampede.

"It is not clear yet, what led to the stampede. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the reasons that led to this tragic incident," Saxena said. "We have reports the heavy rain in the morning resulted in the rush at the footover bridge and when people started moving out a stampede broke out."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief and sorrow over the deaths in the stampede.

"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," PM Modi wrote on twitter.

"Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance."

Elphinstone station is usually crowded during peak hours as it caters to office-goers in the Lower Parel area. The station, on the Western Line of the Mumbai suburban rail network, also connects to Parel station on the Central line.