Thane, India — A tragic incident during the morning commute led to the deaths of at least four passengers and injuries to six others when they fell from an overcrowded local train in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Monday. The calamity unfolded between Diva and Kopar railway stations as the train made its way to Kasara.
According to police, the chaos is believed to have stemmed from commuters hanging onto the footboards of two congested trains passing each other. Reports suggest that their backpacks may have collided, causing the passengers to lose their grip and tumble onto the tracks.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed deep condolences over the loss of life and confirmed that efforts are being undertaken to assist the victims and their families. An official statement revealed that an investigation has been launched by the Railways to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the accident.
Witness accounts indicated that the incident occurred during peak travel hours, when trains are typically packed. Onlookers reported that at least ten passengers were ejected from the moving train. Alerted by the guard of the train heading toward Kasara, railway authorities responded swiftly to the scene.
Emergency services rushed the injured individuals to a local hospital in Kalwa, but four were pronounced dead upon arrival. The victims were reportedly aged between 30 and 35. A statement from the Central Railway’s chief public relations officer, Swapnil Nila, confirmed that eight passengers were found on the railway tracks.
Nila noted that initial findings suggested the collisions happened as passengers from opposite trains reached out from the footboards, leading to a cascade of falls. He dismissed earlier rumors that passengers had fallen from a different express train bound for Lucknow, which had departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus just before the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde remarked on the tragedy’s gravity, stating, “As thousands of commuters travel along this route daily, such incidents are profoundly saddening. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families.”
To facilitate immediate medical care, local hospitals in Thane and Kalwa have been mobilized to provide essential treatments for those injured. Shinde’s office assured that a thorough inquiry into the accident would be conducted to uncover its causes.
In the wake of the tragedy, local leaders have called for scrutiny regarding railway safety measures. Naresh Mhaske, a member of the Lok Sabha from Thane, demanded a comprehensive investigation into the series of events that unfolded, questioning the conditions that led to such a disaster. He stressed the necessity of accountability in managing crowded trains.
Opposition leader Ambadas Danve also weighed in, highlighting the need for enhanced railway safety protocols. He noted the heartbreaking nature of the incident, emphasizing that it raises serious concerns about passenger safety on Mumbai’s rail system.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this preventable tragedy, calling into question the adequacy of current safety measures in place on one of the country’s busiest rail networks.