In a tragic incident on Monday morning, at least five commuters lost their lives when nearly 12 passengers reportedly fell off a moving local train near Mumbra railway station in Thane district, according to a Central Railway spokesperson.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:00 AM, as a Kasara-bound train that departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) was travelling through the Diva-Mumbra section. Passengers who were hanging from the footboard on one side of the train are said to have collided with commuters similarly positioned on a train coming from the opposite direction towards CSMT, leading to the fall.
Central Railway officials confirmed the presence of an oncoming train on the adjacent track at the time of the accident, which contributed to the fatal mishap.
Providing details from the scene, Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde from Mumbra Police Station said: “The accident occurred around 9 am and we received the information by 9:15 and we rushed to the spot to find about 7 people injured and at least five confirmed dead. The injured and the dead were then rushed to the nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa out of which the four injured themselves went to Jupiter hospital.”
Eyewitness Shiva Sherwai, a resident of Santosh Nagar in Mumbra, recounted the shocking scene: “I was just passing by the platform after crossing from west to east and I notice two fast trains passing by simultaneously, and the train on platform 4 towards CSMT, was very fast so I waited back until I found 7-8 people already laying on the tracks, bleeding and asking for help.”
While officials continue to investigate the precise cause of the accident, preliminary reports suggest that overcrowding played a critical role. Many passengers were reportedly standing at the doors on both sides of the train due to a lack of space inside.
In response to the accident, the Railway Board has announced a plan to integrate automatic door-closing systems into all new rakes being manufactured for the Mumbai Suburban network. Additionally, existing trains will be redesigned to include this feature in order to enhance commuter safety.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident and said, “The incident in which a total of 8 passengers fell from a local train between Diva and Mumbra stations, resulting in some fatalities, is extremely unfortunate. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the deceased. The local administration is coordinating efforts on the ground. I pray to the Almighty for the swift recovery of the injured. The railway department has initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.”
Meanwhile, Harshvardhan Sapkal, President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, held the government responsible for the tragedy. He stated, “These deaths are not by accident; these deaths are the victims at the hands of the government. For the past eleven years, the people of Maharashtra and Mumbai have been listening to empty promises about improved infrastructure and smoother commutes for Mumbaikars. In the name of development and facilities, it has become a game of awarding tenders and collecting commissions. The ruling officials and contractors have grown richer through this nexus, while ordinary citizens are paying for this corruption with their lives.”
