Rumors of bridge collapse created panic and caused stampede, clarifies Western Railways

Hours after 22 people died following a stampede at the Mumbai's Elphinstone Road station, the Western Railways on Friday clarified that there was no structural damage in the FOB (foot over bridge) which can be attributed to the stampede.

Western Railways in a statement asserted that there was overcrowding at the foot over bridge due to heavy rains and people panicked on rumours of foot over bridge collapsing.

In a press note Western Railways said, "Rains were unprecedented and people were caught unaware. 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. Prima facie rumours like falling of foot over bridge (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".

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 are also being planned to be extended with construction of this FOB. Tender has already been floated," the press note added.