Indian officials have reported that a stampede on a footbridge at a Mumbai railway station has left 22 people dead and injured more than 30.
The tragedy occurred at Elphinstone station, which connects two major lines, during the morning rush hour.
Officials say the stampede was triggered by overcrowding and people seeking shelter from monsoon rains.
Senior officials are in attendance at the scene and the injured have been taken to a nearby hospital.
“The incident occurred as heavy rains lashed Mumbai and passengers took refuge on the foot overbridge. People at the front slipped and the huge crowd toppled over, leading to the stampede,” said Indian Railways spokesman Ravindra Bhakar.
“Twenty-two dead have been confirmed, 14 men and eight women… Some 32 passengers are injured.”
Akash Koteja, who was in injured in the incident, said: “Trains were rolling in and some people wanted to get out of the station, but others were not making way. When a few tried, it led to a stampede.”
Footage from the scene showed commuters trying to rescue fellow passengers from the crush and attempting to revive people with CPR.
“We put everybody who was injured in cars, police vans and ambulances and tried to take them to the hospital as quickly as possible,” said one witness.
Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi tweeted: “My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.”
An investigation has been launched to identify the cause of the disaster, though the incident is likely to raise the issue of the country’s infrastructure issue at its railway stations, which are used by millions every day.
Around seven and a half million commuters use the sprawling suburban train network in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on a daily basis. Nearly 3,000 people die on the network every year, with accidents killing more than 2,100 so far in 2017.
Mr Modi added that Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was in Mumbai “taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance”.
Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra state, whose capital is Mumbai, promised compensation for the families of the dead and said that the medical bills of the injured would be paid.
