VIDEO: 22 dead, 39 injured in stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station

Twenty-two people were killed and 39 injured on Friday in a stampede on a foot overbridge at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station, police said.

The stampede occurred near a ticket window between the Lower Parel and Elphinstone stations and was reportedly triggered by heavy rain and the simultaneous arrival of four trains, news reports said. A few women commuters slipped, triggering a stampede.

A top police official said overcrowding led to the stampede.

However, PTI reported that police suspect a short-circuit near the foot overbridge and the loud sound accompanying it caused panic. People started running, which led to the stampede. 

Railway minister Piyush Goyal announced compensation for the dead and injured.

He said Rs 5 lakh would be given to the kin of each of the deceased.

The grievously injured would get Rs 1 lakh, while those with minor injuries would get Rs Rs 50,000.

Fifteen people were brought dead to KEM Hospital in Parel, a police official said.

The incident took place at around 10:40 am. The injured were rushed to KEM Hospital and other nearby hospitals in Parel.

Medical and emergency teams were also rushed to the spot. 

Railway minister Piyush Goyal said a high-level enquiry had been ordered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the situation in Mumbai was being continuously monitored and that railway minister Piyush Goyal was in the city to monitor the situation.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government and the railway ministry would conduct an enquiry and strict action taken against anyone found guilty.

One news report quoted a local resident as saying the stampeded was a "disaster waiting to happen". 

The stampede raises several questions about India's infrastructure.

Cities like Mumbai are particularly vulnerable because of the pressures of population.

Earlier this month, Mumbai was swamped by heavy rains which brought the entire city to a standstill.