Goyal orders high-level probe into Elphinstone railway stn stampede

Mumbai, Sept 29: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede that occurred at the Elphinstone railway station’s Foot Over Bridge (FOB) today and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, which has claimed 22 lives. In a series of tweets, Mr Goyal said, “Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge”. “My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons. Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways”. At least 22 people were killed and 27 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Elphinstone railway station’s Foot Over Bridge (FOB) here on Friday. Earlier, talking to a TV channel, Minister of state for Railways Manoj Sinha said that as per the reports received so far, the tragedy has claimed 22 lives and left 27 injured. Mr Sinha said the exact cause of the incident would be known after an inquiry, adding that the injured have been admitted to the KEM Hospital and senior officials of the Western Railways have reached the spot. The stampede took place at 0930 hrs, which was the peak rush hour, while heavy rains were lashing the city because of which many passengers wanted to take shelter on the bridge. 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. A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is at the spot for relief operation. UNI