At least six people, including three women, were killed and 36 injured when a foot overbridge outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) collapsed on Thursday evening.
The victims included those who were on the bridge or those walking below or in the vehicles on the road.
Teams of Central Railway (CR), Mumbai Police and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rushed to the spot for rescue, relief and debris-clearing operation.
The road and the overbridge were crowded owing to peak hours in the evening when the slab of the bridge loosened from the beams and collapsed.
The deceased were identified as Ranjana Tambe (40), Apurva Prabhu (35), both working as nurses at GT Hospital, Bhakti Shinde, Tapendra Singh and Zahid Shiraj Khan (32).
Mumbai: A team of NDRF and dog squad also present at the spot where portion of a foot over bridge near CSMT railways station collapsed earlier this evening. 5 people have died, 36 injured. Toll is likely to rise. pic.twitter.com/KxR4uxQ7BC
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
#UPDATE Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation): Five people have died in the incident where part of a foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapsed. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/juiLAQZOvk
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
The 60-year-old overbridge connects the CSMT to the opposite side. This is the same overbridge that Pakistani fidayeen Mohammed Ajmal Kasab used to come out of the Chhatrapati terminus during the 26/11 terror strike.
Mumbai: Visuals from St George Hospital where some of the people, injured in foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapse, have been taken. 34 people are injured, 2 people dead. pic.twitter.com/G3vIrPU8yE
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the spot and ordered a high-level probe into the incident. The government announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured. The government will bear their medical expenses.
According to Edwin Fernandes, an eyewitness, the bridge came down with a thud. "There was a loud noise, rattle and dust," said Fernandes, who was walking on the pavement. "There was helter-skelter and chaos," he said, adding that people were in terrible pain and some of them were unconscious.
Security and rescue authorities immediately took control of the situation.
"I was on the bridge when it started shaking... I screamed 'bhago, bhago...' and we rushed towards the station. By God's grace and well wishes of my family and friends, I am safe. Death was just two steps away from me," said Manish Jha, a journalist, who called up the Mumbai police control room and sent out WhatsApp messages to various people and groups.
The bridge comes under the jurisdiction of the BMC.
"It was a shock... people were injured and lying on the road," said cricket analyst Amit Shah, who had just walked below the bridge and was moving towards Metro Cinema.
"I was walking along with two of my colleagues and was just approaching the bridge when it caved in," said senior TV journalist Jitendra Dixit.
#SpotVisuals: Two people died, 23 injured when part of a foot over bridge near CSMT station in Mumbai collapsed earlier this evening. (Pic source: NDRF) pic.twitter.com/LjI1qvRqlE
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after the Elphinstone Road foot overbridge stampede and Andheri walkway collapse, the structural audit of all bridges was undertaken and this bridge was found to be okay.
Education Minister Vinod Tawde rushed to the spot and assured a probe. "The bridge was not declared dangerous. But some repairs have been suggested. All details are being looked into," said Tawde, who is the guardian minister of Mumbai.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: Ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh each will be given to the families of those who died in the incident and compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured, state govt will provide for their treatment. https://t.co/oJZV1g8Uhg
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
Maharashtra CM: It's unfortunate. I've ordered for a high level inquiry. A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done&it was found to be fit. Even after that if such incident happened, it raises question on the audit. Inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken pic.twitter.com/h7qHQXKWqb
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: Pained to hear about the foot over bridge incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and Mumbai Police officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with Railway Ministry officials. pic.twitter.com/ep0UqG43CZ
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
PM Narendra Modi: Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. pic.twitter.com/bYEp0Iz62I
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019
The injured were shifted to the government-run St George Hospital and civic-run GT Hospital. The injured include policemen.
The road connects the Fort, Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Churchgate areas to the Crawford Market and is one of the busiest Mumbai routes.
Foot over bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 14, 2019
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