22 killed, 30 injured in stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone Road
What's the story
At least 22 people were killed and 30 injured in a stampede at the foot-over bridge at Mumbai's Elphinstone Road suburban railway station. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) disaster management unit said it has mobilized "required agencies." Reportedly, heavy rains in the morning triggered the chaos, leading to the stampede. The bridge in question is narrow and decades-old. Even on normal days, it's overcrowded.
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The situation on the ground
.@RailMinIndia @WesternRly this is parel / elphinston bridge. We heard People died due to stampede ? Good returns of my tax! @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/Yj0tySttCo
— Chirag Joshi (@chiragmjoshi) September 29, 2017
Inquiry announced
Goyal announces inquiry, Maha govt. to compensate families of deceased
Piyush Goyal has now reached Mumbai and is taking stock of stampede situation. He has ordered a high-level inquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed a team to the site. The Maharashtra government has announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for families of those killed and will also bear the medical expenses of those injured.
Information
Ironically, Elphinstone station to be renamed to Prabhadevi today
The stampede occurred on the day the station was to be renamed from Elphinstone Road to Prabhadevi. The Asian Age reported earlier that Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will stay away from the renaming ceremony.
Reactions
PM Modi expresses "condolences," President Kovind is "anguished"
PM Narendra Modi has expressed his "condolences to all those who have lost their lives" and has offered his prayers for those injured. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said he is "shocked and saddened" by the news of the deadly Elphinstone Road station stampede. "Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
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PM Modi expresses his "deepest condolences" for the deceased
My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017