Elphinstone Tragedy | 30 New Over Bridges to be Built: Rail Min
At least 25 people have been reportedly injured in the stampede.
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Twenty-three people were reportedly killed in a stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone Railway Station, that broke out at around 10:22 am on Friday, 29 September.
At least 39 people were left injured in the mishap on a crowded foot-over-bridge at the train station on the Western Line, which was reportedly triggered by heavy rains.
Catch the live updates at The Quint.
- 23 killed in stampede at Mumbai’s Elphinstone Railway station
- 39 people seriously injured (KEM helpline number: 022-24107000)
- Railways PRO said the tragedy occurred when people were taking shelter from the heavy rain at the station
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assured an inquiry - Congress and Shiv Sena attacked the government over the tragedy
- Railway minister Piyush Goyal said all foot over bridges, widening work will be completed within 1 year
Foot-Over-Bridges Mandatory at All Stations: Piyush Goyal
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced a slew of measures for safety of commuters with a focus on foot-over-bridges (FOBs) in the country, a day after 23 people died in a stampede at a crowded station in Mumbai.
He said the FOBs would now be “mandatory” at all stations. Previously, only the first FOB at a railway station was considered essential and the subsequent a passenger amenity.
"All Foot Over Bridges and Widening to Finish in 1 Year"
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday, 30 September, that the tenders for foot over bridges and their widening have been approved.
"Foot Over Bridges Mandatory, Not Passenger Amenity"
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with rail officials on Saturday.
Goyal also stated that 200 officers will be relocated from Head Quarters as field staff to strengthen ground operations.
Death Toll Rises to 23
The number of people killed in a stampede in Mumbai has risen to 23 after one succumbs to injuries.
Satyendra Mishra was one of the critical patients who suffered heavy neurological damage and was on the ventilator since he had been brought to the hospital, as Hindustan Times reported.
An Inquiry Will Be Conducted: CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday night reached the KEM hospital to meet the victims of the tragedy.
“It was a very sad and a serious incident. An inquiry will be done into the incident,” Fadnavis told reporters.
“Railways ministry has started an audit of FOBs at the stations so that a similar incident is not repeated in the future. I have given assurance to the Railway ministry that the state government and the local administration will do everything needed,” Fadnavis added.
CM Fadnavis Reaches KEM Hospital
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at the KEM hospital, nearly 12 hours after the stampede to meet the victims of the tragedy.
Overbridge's Structural Strength Not a Factor in Stampede: Manoj Sinha
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha ruled out the structural strength of the foot overbridge connecting Mumbai's Parel-Elphinstone Road stations being a factor in Friday's horrific stampede but later said his remarks were being "distorted".
"The incident has occurred due to stampede. So I don't think that any question over the foot overbridge's strength arises.”
"A large number of people in Mumbai commute daily. The railway has already been undertaking task of strengthening the overbridges in a serial wise manner. And we are trying to strengthen all the bridges one after the other," he said here after 22 commuters were killed and many more injured in a stampede on the narrow railway foot overbridge.
Later, in a statement, Sinha said that he was deeply saddened by the deaths of innocent people in the "unfortunate incident", and that his remarks were being "distorted".
"A high level probe has been ordered into the unfortunate incident. But nobody should do politics over such incidents. Some people are trying to present my statements in a distorted form. This is not right," he said.
Police Examining CCTV Footage
Police are examining CCTV footage and also the video clips shot by onlookers to find out what led to the deadly stampede.
Police have got hold of CCTV footage of the bridge, Assistant commissioner of police Sunil Deshmukh said. "We are also approaching some eye-witnesses to get information about the incident," he added.
Some onlookers shot videos of the incident on mobile phones and police are seeking help from them for the investigation, he said.
CM Fadnavis Reaches Mumbai, heads to KEM Hospital
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was in Singapore on an official visit, has reached Mumbai and is en route to KEM Hospital, reported CNN News 18.
Foot-Over-Bridge Extension Project Was Sanctioned by Suresh Prabhu
A document accessed by The Quint shows that the extension of the foot-over-bridge was already sanctioned by Suresh Prabhu during his tenure as Railways Minister at a cost of Rs 11.86 crore.
Will Speed up Work on FOBs: Piyush Goyal
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal assured that work on foot-over-bridges will be quickened in the wake of the Elphinstone stampede. After chairing an emergency meeting with Railway officials in Mumbai he said,
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal Chairs Emergency Meet on Suburban Railways
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal is currently heading a meeting with officials regarding various issues related to suburban section.
Fadnavis Cancels Foreign Visit
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has cancelled his foreign visit and is on his way back from Singapore, as CNN News18 reported.
Unprecedented Rains and People Caught Off-Guard
The Western Railways released a press note stating that the rains were unprecedented and people were caught unaware which led to the stampede, which led to an overcrowding at the exit.
It was announced that a new 12 metre long foot over bridge at the north end parallel to this bridge has already been sanctioned connecting Western and Central Railways, along with East-West connectivity.
Accidental Death Report Filed
An Accidental Death Report (ADR) under section 174 of CRPC has been registered at Dadar Police Station after the Elphinstone stampede in which 22 people lost their lives and 39 were injured.
"One Foot-Over-Bridge Already Sanctioned"
An additional foot-over-bridge has already sanctioned for Mumbai's Elphinstone Station, a railway official announced.
Along with the foot-over-bridge, the platforms at the station will also be extended, he added.
22 People Killed
The KEM hospital has a list of the deceased, of which 14 are male and 8 female.
"Man Made Disaster"
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday expressed shock and anguish over the death of 22 persons in a stampede in Mumbai and said the "man-made" disaster could have been avoided by taking care of the safety aspect.
She said she hoped a proper inquiry would be conducted to fix responsibility for the tragedy on the narrow foot overbridge connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations of Western Railway.
In a statement here, Gandhi conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.
The Congress leader expressed concern over rail safety in the country and said "
She urged Congress workers to contribute in providing assistance to the bereaved families.
"Pained by Incident"
Rahul Gandhi tweeted his condolences about the stampede at Elphinstone.
"The Government Has Been Defamed"
Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that incidents like the stampede at Elphinstone have defamed the government and people are very upset.
As a Mumbaikar, I Hang My Head in Shame: Anand Mahindra
Anand Mahindra tweeted as a Mumbaikar, saying that he felt ashamed of what took place at the Elphinstone station.
"22 Lives Lost for 100 Inches"
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant had raised questions of a foot over bridge being constructed for the daily commuters at Elphinstone station, with the Railway Ministry in February 2016, as CNN News18 reports.
The recommended width of the bridge is supposed to be 178 inches or 4.5 meters but the current bridge is only 77 inches.
The then railway minister Suresh Prabhu had responded, saying the construction was “under consideration”.
Back in 2010 as well, RTI activists had raised concerns of the existing bridge beigna safety hazard for the commuters.
Toll of Injured Goes Up
A total of 39 people have been injured in the stampede at the Elphinstone station in Mumbai, reported ANI.
Infrastructure is Not in Question: MoS of Railways
MoS of Railways Manoj Sharma said that the incident happened due to a stampede and not the infrastructure of the bridge.
Will Conduct Audit of Foot-Over-Bridges: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for those who have been serioulsy injured at the stampede. He also said that an audit of the foot-over-bridges will be conducted.
He further said that widening of foot-over-bridges wherever necessary will be done on ‘high priority’.
Watch: Eyewitness Describes the Horror of Elphistone Stampede
Saddened That This Happened to My Mumbai: Piyush Goyal
Shortly after his arrival, Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal expressed shock over the tragedy. “This happening to my Mumbai is a worrisome affair and we have to ensure that this does not happen in the future,” he said.
Maharashtra Govt Announces Compensation for Kin of Deceased
“Compensation of Rs 5 Lakh each will be given to kin of those dead,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. The government will also bear the medical expenses, he said.
Fadnavis said an enquiry will be conducted and “strict action" will be taken.
Deeply Grieved: Piyush Goyal
“I pray for speedy recovery of the injured persons,” said Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who landed in Mumbai a few hours after the tragedy.
Short Circuit Led to Stampede: Eyewitness
Piyush Goyal Taking Stock of Situation: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to those who lost their lives in the stampede. Piyush Goyal is “taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance,” the PM said.
'Railway Authorities Came At Least 30 Mins Late'
Angry commuters claimed the authorities came at least half-and-hour after the incident.
Mumbai Mayor, V Mahadeshwar, said that 9 women and 21 men have been admitted with grave injuries.
Watch: The Quint Reports From Ground Zero
Angry commuters blamed the railway authorities for the stampede.
"Commuter Slipped": Railway Officials
Railway officials claim that the stampede was triggered when people were taking shelter from the rain. A commuter slipped on the wet floor, causing several others to trip and fall too.
Govt Gives Bullet Trains, Not Actual Facilities: Shiv Sena
Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena MLA, Ajay Chowdhary blamed the government for the mishap.
Watch: People Cling to the Stairs at Elphinstone Station
Piyush Goyal May Visit Elphinstone, KEM Hospital
The PRO of the Railways, R Bhaskar, said the incident occurred when people were taking shelter from the heavy rain at the railway station. He said that Railway Minister Piyush Goyal would visit Elphinstone Railway station as soon as he lands in Mumbai.
The Railway Minister was scheduled to flag off 60 new suburban train services for Mumbai commuters today. He was also scheduled to take a ride in a local train from Vile Parle to Churchgate and then address railway officials. The plan is likely to be cancelled in the wake of the mishap.
The roof of the railway station also reportedly started leaking during the course of the rain.
Elphinstone Stampede: What We Know So Far
At least 22 people were killed, and several others injured at a stampede that broke out at around 9:30 am at Mumbai's Elphinstone Railway station on Friday.
Sources around the railway station told The Quint a short circuit on the bridge triggered panic, following which 20 people jumped off the bridge.
According to the police, who described the incident as a “minor stampede”, 20 people have been seriously injured, while the others have sustained minor injuries.
The exact number of casualties and the cause of the incident is yet to ascertained. The local trains may be delayed and cancelled in the wake of the mishap.
Medical and police teams have been rushed to the spot. The injured have been moved to Mumbai’s KEM Hospital.
Goyal had recently said that no school-going child, college student, citizen of Mumbai should travel unsafe.
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