Mumbai Train Accident Leaves Four Dead and Several Injured During Peak Hour Chaos

Mumbai train accident during the hectic Monday morning rush hour turned tragic as four lives were lost and several others were injured when overcrowded local trains caused passengers to fall off near Thane. The incident has once again raised critical concerns about safety and infrastructure on Mumbai’s lifeline – the local train network.

What Happened?

Around 9:30 AM, during peak office hours, two local trains—one bound for Kasara and the other heading toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus—crossed paths between Diva and Kopar stations on the Central Railway line.

Due to extreme overcrowding, multiple passengers were hanging from the footboards. When the two trains brushed past each other, at least twelve commuters lost balance and fell onto the tracks.

• Four passengers died on the spot, including:
  • Ketan Dilip Saroj, 23, from Ulhasnagar
  • Rahul Santosh Gupta
  • Mayur Shah
  • Vicky Babasaheb Mukhidal, a GRP constable
• Six other passengers (four men and two women) were seriously injured and rushed to Shivaji Hospital and Thane General Hospital for treatment.

Emergency Response

Thanks to the guard of the Kasara-bound train, railway authorities were quickly alerted. By 9:50 AM, ambulances had reached the spot and transported the injured to Kalwa Hospital, where four were pronounced dead on arrival.

Railway officials confirmed the incident did not involve the Pushpak Express, refuting earlier rumors. According to an official report, the fall occurred after passengers on footboards of opposite trains collided while hanging dangerously outside.

Political Reactions and Condolences

Maharashtra’s top leaders expressed deep grief over the incident:

• CM Devendra Fadnavis called the tragedy “very unfortunate” and assured a high-level inquiry is underway. “We share the grief of their families. A total of 8 passengers fell between Diva-Mumbra station and some lost their lives,” he wrote on X.
• Deputy CM Eknath Shinde emphasized, “Saving lives is the top priority. We will extend support to affected families.”
• Deputy CM Ajit Pawar urged urgent reforms, calling it a reminder of the dangers of overcrowding in Mumbai locals.
• Opposition leader Ambadas Danve and Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske demanded accountability, raising concerns over the role of crowding or possible altercations.

Railways’ Next Steps

In response to this Mumbai train accident, the Railway Board has issued crucial directives:

• All new rakes for Mumbai Suburban Railways will be fitted with automatic door closure systems.
• Older rakes will be redesigned and retrofitted to improve safety.
• A thorough investigation has been ordered by a committee to determine the exact cause and identify responsible parties.

Activists Speak Out

Om Prakash Sharma, President of the Thane District Railway Users Association, criticized the authorities, stating that they had been warned multiple times about overcrowding hazards.

“Why wait for a tragedy to act? Passenger safety should not be a post-accident concern,” Sharma said.

This heartbreaking Mumbai train accident has not only shaken commuters but also sparked a renewed call for urgent action. With lakhs of people relying on local trains daily, safety can no longer be sidelined. As the probe unfolds and families mourn, Mumbaikars wait to see if this tragedy finally drives real change on the suburban railway tracks.