22 dead in Elphinstone stampede in Mumbai

Mumbai, Sept 29: At least 22 people died in a stampede at Mumbai’s Elphinstone railway station on Friday. Among the dead, four were women and 18 men, KEM hospital sources said. Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said 22 people had been killed in the stampede and 30 were injured who are being treated in BMC-run KEM hospital. Of the injured 20 are serious and rest have minor injuries. 'Can’t comment more right now,' GRP Commissioner Niket Kaushik said. The stampede took place on foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is reportedly on his way to the Elphinstone Road railway station. 'Due to sudden rain, people were waiting at the station. When the rain stopped there was chaos to go out, when stampede took place,' Mr Saxena said. Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Choudhary alleged that the government was not able to provide basic facilities and services at stations but dreams of bullet trains. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who visited the scene, said it was the responsibility of the Western Railway authorities to ensure commuters` safety. In a video shared on social media, people can be seen caught in the stampede. Initial photos from the scene shows people lying on the ground after they jumped from the bridge to save themselves. BMC sets up helpline. Call 022 24136051, 022 24107020, 022 24131419. KEM hospital: 022-24107000 Western Railway control room: 022 - 23070564, 022-23017379, 022-23635959 Mumbai railway control room: 022-23081725 Traffic helpline WhatsApp no: 8454999999 UNI