President asks Maharashtra to help stampede victims, kin

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday asked the Maharashtra government to provide all necessary help to the kin of the victims of the stampede in Mumbai on Friday and medical assistance to the injured.

In a letter to Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, the President said: "I am sad to learn about the stampede on a foot overbridge in Mumbai in which a number of people lost their lives and others sustained serious injuries.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the accident. I am sure the state government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide all possible help to the bereaved families as well as medical assistance to the injured."

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," he added.

On Friday morning around 10 a.m., in an unprecedented stampede on the Mumbai suburban train network, 22 commuters, including eight women, were crushed to death and another 38 injured, at Elphinstone Road station.

Another death occurred on Saturday when an injured person died in hospital during treatment.

The tragedy occurred on a foot overbridge connecting the Elphinstone Road station with Parel due to overcrowding after a sudden downpour and at least four trains arriving simultaneously at both stations, leading to a heavy rush.

--IANS

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