Elphinstone stampede: Western Railways says overcrowding happened due to heavy rains

The Western Railways on Friday clarified about the stampede which happened on a foot over bridge at Elphinstone Road Station in Mumbai. It said that there was overcrowding at the foot over bridge due to heavy rains and people panicked on rumours of foot over bridge collapsing.

The Western Railways also refuted laxity on their part regarding the foot over bridge. It said that new foot over bridge has already been sanctioned.

"Rains were unprecedented and people were caught unawares. As people weren't prepared for rains, sudden rain made people from approach road to take shelter at FOB and at staircase. This led to overcrowding at the exit,” said Western Railways in a press note.

“Prima facie rumours like falling of FOB led people to panic, leading to tremendous push from behind towards exit leading to stampede. There was no structural damage to the FOB (foot over bridge) which can be attributed to the stampede,” said Western Railways.

The Western Railways informed that FOB is 5 meters wide and 32 meters long having dual exits, i.e., North and South at the place of incident.

“New 12 meter long FOB at north end parallel to this bridge already sanctioned connecting WR and CR along with East-west connectivity. Platforms at Elphinstone Road Station also planned to be extended with construction of this FOB. Tender has already been floated,” said Western Railways.

Due to fears of a possible short circuit, a stampede took place on a foot overbridge near the Elphinstone station. As per last reports in, 22 people had died and more than 30 were injured. The casualties had been brought to KEM Hospital where they were undergoing treatment.