MUMBAI: Stampede on Elphinston bridge, killing 23 people on September 29 occurred because of heavy rain, an equiry report said.
The panel, headed by the Western Railway chief security officer, submitted its report to Western Railway General Manager Anil Kumar after recording statements of 30 commuters who were injured.
Officials further said, “we have also examined video footage of the incident.”
The stampede was caused by heavy rains which forced people outside at the ticket counters to rush to the already jammed staircase for cover, report said adding that with heavy luggage lost their balance because of which the stampede might have occurred.
None of the witnesses supported the claim of a short circuit on the bridge leading to the chaos.
During peak hours, passengers should not be carry heavy luggage, the panel recommends.
Mainly vendors, carrying baskets stuffed with goods during peak hours should also be restricted.
Other recommendations by the panel include relocating the elevated booking office to widen the staircase (the elevated booking office is adjacent to the staircase where the stampede occurred). (AGENCIES)
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