THANE: In a harrowing accident that has stunned Mumbai’s rail commuters, eight passengers fell off two overcrowded fast locals that were passing each other at Mumbra station during Monday’s morning rush hour. Four of them lost their lives, while four others were seriously injured. An additional five passengers sustained injuries inside one of the trains due to the impact.
The incident occurred around 9:10 am at the Diva-end of Mumbra station, where a Kasara-CSMT fast local and a CSMT-Karjat fast local were crossing between platforms 3 and 4. This congested corridor of Central Railway sees lakhs of commuters daily, particularly from areas like Thane, Kalyan, Karjat, and Kasara.
Initial findings by Thane GRP suggest the victims were riding on the footboards of the packed trains. Investigators believe backpacks or bodies of passengers from the two trains might have brushed against each other as they passed, throwing several off balance. “CCTV footage is being reviewed, but the exact cause is still under investigation,” said CR’s chief public relations officer, Swapnil Nila.
Later in the evening, CR officials indicated that a metal object may have scraped the side of the overcrowded CSMT-bound train, potentially triggering the accident. Scratch marks were found on the last coach, and the rake was moved to Kalwa car shed to determine whether the marks were related to the incident.
Some commuter activists speculated that a combination of overcrowding and the platform’s design could have contributed, while Central Railway denied that the mishap occurred on a platform curve. Others suggested scuffles inside compartments might also have played a role.
Victims Identified
Among the deceased were:
- Ketan Saroj (23) – BPO employee from Ulhasnagar
- Vicky Mukhyadal (34) – Railway police personnel returning to Kalyan
- Rahul Gupta (27) – Resident of Diva
- Mayur Shah (44) – Resident of Thane
The injured were identified as Priyanka Bhatia (26), Sneha Dhonde (21), Adesh Bhoir (26), Rihan Shaikh (26), Tushar Bhagat (22), Manish Saroj (26), Machhindra Gotarne (39), Shiva Gavli (23), and Anil More (40). All were taken to Jupiter Hospital for treatment.
Authorities are still determining how many fell from each train. Mukhyadal was confirmed to be aboard the Karjat-bound train, while Saroj and Gupta were in the CSMT-bound one. Shah’s train of origin remains unclear.
Eyewitness Accounts and Response
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene—bodies lying between the up and down fast lines as panicked commuters and police rushed to help. A Kasara-CSMT train guard spotted passengers on the tracks and raised the alarm.
One commuter, Deepak Shirsat, said that extreme crowding at Diva had led to dangerous footboard congestion. “My friend fell right in front of me. We pulled the chain, but the train didn’t stop in time,” he recalled.
CR spokesperson Nila confirmed that of the nine injured, five were hurt inside the compartment and four fell from the train. “All have been moved to hospitals,” he said.
A senior CR official called the event unprecedented: “While individual falls are tragically common, eight people falling simultaneously is unheard of. The gap between two trains is around 6.5 feet—it means people were hanging dangerously far out.”
Future Safety Measures
In response, Indian Railways has fast-tracked plans to introduce non-AC local trains with automatic doors and better ventilation by January 2026. Additionally, procurement of 238 new AC locals has been resumed after earlier tenders were scrapped due to administrative delays.
Activists like Rafique Shaikh highlighted risks posed by track curves. “Load imbalance on curves makes it harder for footboard travellers to maintain grip,” he said.
Government Response
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that an investigation has been launched. State minister Girish Mahajan announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.
The tragedy has reignited urgent calls for safer commuting conditions in Mumbai’s overburdened suburban rail system—where every day, thousands ride on the edge, literally.
