Police take 'hafta', allow hawkers to sit on a crowded bridge: Locals react after Elphinstone Stampede

Days after several commuters complained about difficulties in walking on a foot overbridge (FOB) at Elphinstone railway, at least 22 people were killed in a stampede on Friday.

The incident took place amid rains in the city around 10.40 am when the FOB was heavily crowded.

Amid anger over the incident, locals have accused police of taking 'hafta' for allowing hawkers to sit on an over-crowded bridge.

"Hawkers have occupied the space....The public doesn't have space to walk and police are taking 'hafta'. Is the bridge for public or for hawkers," said an angry local.

Live Updates: 22 killed, over 30 injured in stampede at Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai; Piyush Goyal orders inquiry 

"The incident was expected to happen..Look at the size of the bridge and the crowd that travels. The railway is not paying attention at public," he added.

#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

Meanwhile, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered high-level inquiry into by the Chief Safety Officer of Western Railway.

"Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and got affected," said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede.