Mumbaikars React to Railways’ Report on Elphinstone Stampede

The incident was caused due to panic and confusion on the bridge coupled with rain, stated the report.

Mumbaikars at Elphinstone foot overbridge

(Photo: PTI)

After the Elphinstone stampede that claimed at least 23 lives, the authorities have been given a clean chit on the Elphinstone stampede tragedy in an inquiry report submitted by the Western Railways (WR). On 29 September, 23 people were crushed to death in a stampede on the stairwell of a narrow foot-over bridge at the Elphinstone station in Mumbai.

The incident was caused due to panic and confusion created on the bridge coupled with rains. No one can be held responsible for the incident...The survivors who spoke to us said that the rumour was created all of a sudden. The people were unprepared for the rains. In seven to eight minutes, this rumour turned the situation into a stampede. 

Ravinder Bhaker, Chief Public Relations Officer, WR     

Also read: Rain & Rumours Caused Elphinstone Tragedy, No Negligence: Railways

The Quint exclusively spoke to Mumbaikars to know what they had to say about the Railways’ report that blamed ‘Panic, rain’ and ‘unprepared’ commuters for the catastrophe that befell people at Elphinstone foot-over bridge.

Commuters criticised the report, pointing out at the poor infrastructural facilities.

I don’t know why they are making such a stupid statement it sounds really foolish from the Mumbaikars’ perspective. We travel every day, we suffer, they don’t. And if the railway is giving clean chit to the authorities then it’s absolutely b*******. We have been paying high taxes but the facilities are very bad     

Avira Jhunjhal, Serviceman     

Video Producer: Hera Khan
Video Editor: Vivek Gupta

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