Daily Nation Newspaper

Mumbai railway station stampede kills 22

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MUMBAI, India - A stampede on a footbridge at a Mumbai railway station has left 22 people dead and injured more than 30, Indian officials report.

The tragedy occurred during the morning rush hour at Elphinston­e station, which connects two major local lines.

It was triggered by overcrowdi­ng and people seeking shelter from monsoon rains, the officials said.

The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital and senior railway officials are at the scene.

"The incident occurred as heavy rains lashed Mumbai and passengers took refuge on the foot overbridge. People at the front slipped and the huge crowd toppled over, leading to the stampede," Indian Railways spokesman Ravindra Bhakar told AFP news agency.

"Twenty-two dead have been confirmed, 14 men and eight women... Some 32 passengers are injured."

Akash Koteja, one of the injured, said: "Trains were rolling in and some people wanted to get out of the station, but others were not making way. When a few tried, it led to a stampede."

TV footage from the scene showed commuters trying to rescue fellow passengers from the crush and revive people by pumping their chests.

The government launched into the causes of the disaster, but overcrowdi­ng on India's vast, crumbling railway network is a perennial problem

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi tweeted: "My deepest condolence­s to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured."

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 ??  ?? Commuters tried to rescue the trapped and injured
Commuters tried to rescue the trapped and injured

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