Mumbai foot overbridge collapse tragedy: 6 die while 30 get injured

At least six people were killed and over 30 injured after a portion of a foot over bridge (FOB) near the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai collapsed on Thursday evening. A big slab of the FOB came crashing down at around 7.20 pm due to which several pedestrians were injured.

Teams from NDRF, Mumbai Police, Fire Brigade and other rescue agencies reached the spot and immediately evacuated those buried under the rubble and shifted them to hospitals. The injured were admitted to three nearby hospitals -- St George Hospital, G T Hospital and Bombay Hospital.

Six of the injured who succumbed to their injuries have been identified as Apoorva Prabhu (35), Ranjana Tambe (40), Zahid Shiraj Khan (32), Bhakti Shinde (40), Sarika Kulkarni (35) and Tapendra Singh (35). Two women who were killed in the tragedy were staff of GT Hospital, police said. According to reports, 66-year-old Dilip Parekh remains in a critical condition at Bombay Hospital.

An FIR has been registered against officials concerned of the Central Railway and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under section 304A (Causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code at the Azaad Maidan Police Station. The Maharashtra Government has announced Ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh each for the next of kin of those who were killed in the tragic incident. "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," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis said he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. "A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done and it was found to be fit. Even after that if such an incident happened, it raises a question on the audit. The inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken", the chief minister added.

The Chief Minister also said that he has spoken to BMC Commissioner and Mumbai Police officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with the Rail Ministry. Thursday's incident is the second major bridge collapse in Mumbai within a span of nine months. Two people were killed and five others injured when Gokhale Bridge over Andheri railway station in suburban Mumbai collapsed on July 3, 2018.

Minutes after the collapse on Thursday, Mumbai Police had tweeted about the incident stating Foot over bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane had collapsed. "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"

Maharashtra Minister Vinod Tawde said a joint inquiry by Railways and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be conducted. "A slab of the bridge has fallen which led to the death and injuries of pedestrians. Railway and BMC will conduct a joint enquiry of the incident. There were minor damages in the bridge and the maintenance was going on, why the bridge was not closed during this period will be part of the enquiry," Tawde said.

Soon after the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the tragedy and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot over bridge 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," he tweeted.

The Railway Ministry said the bridge belonged to the BMC but the Ministry is extending all support to the victims. "Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," informed Railways.

This bridge, a portion of which has collapsed today was also called as 'Kasab Bridge' because terrorist Ajmal Kasab apparently used this bridge to exit from the CSMT station after the horrific 26/11 attack terror attack in Mumbai. He was pictured near this same bridge while running towards Cama Albless Hospital lane where he killed senior ATS officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)