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The death toll in a stampede that happened Friday at a footbridge near a local train station in Mumbai, India's financial capital city, has risen to 22, officials said.
Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai. Accidents are common on the busy network.
Over 30 people injured in the incident have been admitted to hospitals, the officials said. However, local media reports put the number at around 50.
"As of now 22 people have been confirmed to have died in the stampede and 27 others have been injured,"a local police official said. "The injured are being provided medical treatment at the nearest hospitals."
Anil Saxena, railway spokesman told the media that the government has ordered an investigation to ascertain reasons that led to the stampede.
"It is not clear yet, what led to the stampede. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the reasons that led to this tragic incident," Saxena said. "We have reports the heavy rain in the morning resulted in the rush at the footover bridge and when people started moving out a stampede broke out."
According to police and railway officials the stampede triggered at around 10:45 a.m. (local time) on a narrow footbridge near the Lower Parel and Elphinstone stations.
Television visuals showed people on the ground, some unconscious and people trying to revive them with water and first aid. Footwear and bags were seen lying scattered next to the bridge.
Reports said the two train stations are used by most of the commuters in Mumbai as the areas are close to many office buildings.
Locals said over 400 people were present at the bridge at the time of the stampede.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief and sorrow over the deaths in the stampede.
"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," Modi wrote on twitter.
"Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance."
Goyal is minister of railways in India.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons," Goyal said. "Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways."
Authorities have rushed disaster response personnel on the spot to carry out rescue work, officials said.
Indian sprawling railways is the world's third largest network, ferrying around 23 million people each day.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
