Elphinstone stampede: Maha Govt announces Rs 5 lakh to kin of victims; Piyush Goyal orders high-level enquiry

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday ordered a high-level inquiry into the stampede at Elphinstone station in Mumbai.

According to the reports, at least 22 people lost their lives and several were injured when a stampede broke out on the foot overbridge at the station. The injured are being treated at the KEM hospital in Mumbai.

"Deeply grieved at the tragic loss of innocent lives due to unfortunate stampede. Have ordered a high-level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways," said Railway minister Piyush Goyal on his way to KEM hospital.

Bohot hi dukhad haadsa hai, high level inquiry ka order de diya hai: Piyush Goyal,Railway Minister #MumbaiStampede pic.twitter.com/1FCeLgVVCF

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Mumbai: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal & Maharashtra Minister Vinod Tawde reach KEM Hospital #MumbaiStampede pic.twitter.com/u7DHYzvTtc

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Singapore to discuss the prospect of investment in the state, also announced an enquiry at the state level and promised to take strict action.

Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge.#Mumbai

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and got affected. #Elphinstone

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Spoke to Chief Secretary and @CPMumbaiPolice ; asked them to reach hospital to monitor and ensure that everyone gets all the help.

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

The CM also announced ₹5 lakh for the next of kins of the deceased. He added that all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by Government of Maharashtra.

₹5 lakh announced for the next of the kins of deceased and all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by GoM.#Elphinstone

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Meanwhile, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has reached the site of the stampede. BMC's disaster management unit said 'required agencies have been mobilised.'

Elphinstone station is usually crowded during the 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.