Stampede At Mumbai's Elphinstone Station Kills At Least 22

At least 22 people have died and over 30 injured in a stampede that took place on Friday at foot over bridge at Mumbai's western railway station of Elphinstone Road. According to news reports the incident took place sometime around half past ten in the morning when a sudden spell of rain prompted commuters to throng to a foot over bridge, resulting in a stampede. Videos circulating on WhatsApp and social media show crowds jostling for space and people gasping for breath.�The injured were rushed to nearby KEM hospital.

Over 20 ppl got injured in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station of Parel #Mumbai. injured got admitted at KEM hospital. pic.twitter.com/y539r4qoEC

� **aarya** (@dwarkadevils) September 29, 2017

Death of 22 people have been confirmed & 27 have been injured: Anil Saxena, DG PR, Railway #mumbaistampede pic.twitter.com/pWAPe1TIbP

� ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

The state has announced it will bear medical expenses of those injured in the stampede. Compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to kin of those dead. Some news reports have suggested that the stampede was triggered by a rumour but BOOM has not been able to independently verify it. Angry Mumbaikars� at the scene vented their anger against civic authorities saying� that Friday's incident was a disaster waiting to happen as the bridge was illegally occupied by hawkers leaving little space for pedestrians.

#WATCH: Local voices concerns after death of 22 ppl in stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge in Mumbai #mumbaistampede pic.twitter.com/xygnf4uX9N

� ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis said an enquiry would be conducted by the state and the railways and that strict action would be taken.

Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken.@RailMinIndia

� Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Piyush Goyal, who has recently taken charge of the railways, also rushed to Mumbai to monitor the situation.

Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge.

� Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 29, 2017

Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance.

� Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

The incident took place on a day when�Elphinstone Road station was to be formally renamed as 'Prabhadevi.'