This 19-year-old reveals the reason why Mumbai Elphinstone stampede may have taken place

At least 23 people were killed and more than 35 were injured in a tragic stampede that took place at Mumbai's Elphinstone station

By: News Desk |
October 5, 2017 4:02 pm

Days after several people lost their lives in a horrific stampede that took place at Mumbai’s railway station, a survivor of the incident has come out to reveal how the stampede may have started. While the exact cause of the stampede has not been ascertained as yet, a 19-year-old girl identified as Shilpa revealed that chaos ensued after a flower seller dropped his basket of flowers and cried, “majhe phool padle (My flowers fell), however, what the people heard was “pul padla” (The bridge has fallen) triggering panic where everyone started running down.

“A woman injured in the stampede told the inquiry panel yesterday that a flower vendor uttered the words ‘phool gir gaya’, which others mistook for ‘pul gir gaya’,” a senior Western Railway official was quoted as saying by PTI.

Shilpa was among the many people who were caught in the deadly stampede. However, a person who himself was stuck in the stampede pulled her out. Sadly, the person who saved Shilpa did not survive the stampede and died. Shilpa also sustained several injuries during the stampede and has reportedly received Rs 50,000 compensation.

Also Read: 22 dead, over 30 injured in a stampede at Mumbai’s Elphinstone railway station

Meanwhile, the police have stated that it is too soon to confirm whether the reason stated by Shilpa was the reason why the stampede took place. The police officials are still investigating and making efforts to ascertain the cause of the stampede.

“We will try to get detailed accounts of other injured passengers, locals who rescued them and witnesses as a part of our in-depth inquiry,” Western Railway’s chief spokesperson Ravindra Bhakar was quoted as saying.

At least 23 people lost their lives and more than 35 were left injured in a stampede on foot overbridge that linked Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations. Initial reports had suggested that chaos ensued after 4 trains allegedly arrived at the same time. The injured were rushed to KEM hospital where as many as 15 people were declared brought dead by the doctors.