15 killed in India's Mumbai railway station stampede

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India (AA) - At least 15 people were killed and 20 others injured during a stampede at a pedestrian overpass at a railway station in western Mumbai city on Friday morning, according to a railway official.

Railway Public Relations Officer Anil Saxena confirmed the casualty toll at the Elphinstone Railway Station.

The stampede reportedly took place at around 10.30 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) when people rushed towards the bridge to take refuge from sudden spell of heavy rain.

Western Railways tweeted from its official account: "During heavy rains, due to stampede like situation on North Foot Over Bridge at Elphinsten Road station about 10.30 am.

“Accident Relief Medical train has reached and medical assistance being provided to injured.

Senior Railway officers have reached the station FOB to monitor relief work."

Senior Medical Officer Dr. Pravin Bangar at the KEM Hospital told India Today that 15 dead brought to the hospital.

The Mumbai suburban railway system is spread over 465 kilometers (289 miles) and operates 2,342 train services. It carries more than 7.5 million commuters daily.