Overcrowding Claims Lives: Four Dead, Six Injured After Passengers Fall Off Local Train in Thane District
A tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning in Maharashtra’s Thane district when at least four commuters lost their lives and six others sustained injuries after falling off an overcrowded local train.
The mishap occurred between the Diva and Kopar railway stations as a Kasara-bound fast local made its routine morning journey during peak rush hours.
According to initial reports from the Railway Police and Central Railway authorities, the victims fell after what appears to have been a collision between passengers hanging from the footboards of two passing trains.
While officials are yet to confirm the precise sequence of events, early accounts suggest that rucksacks or body parts brushed against each other as the two crowded locals moved past in opposite directions on adjacent tracks.
Multiple Fatalities Reported in the Morning Rush
A senior official from the local police confirmed that around 10 passengers were dislodged from the train as it sped along its route. “Due to the overwhelming rush, many commuters were seen standing dangerously at the doors, clinging to footboards,” said the officer. “While the train was in motion, several of them lost balance and fell onto the tracks.”
The alert for the incident was raised by the guard of the Kasara-bound train, who immediately notified the railway control room at approximately 9:30 AM. In a rapid emergency response, railway and civic authorities managed to dispatch ambulances and rescue teams to the site within 20 minutes.
The injured were transported to the Kalwa civic hospital, where four were declared dead on arrival. The deceased, all believed to be men between 30 and 35 years old, have yet to be formally identified by authorities.
Conflicting Reports, Clarifications Issued
Initial confusion surrounded the type of train involved, with speculation pointing toward the Pushpak Express—an intercity service running from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Lucknow.
However, Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Swapnil Nila, dismissed these claims, stating that no passengers had fallen from the Pushpak Express.
Nila confirmed that eight individuals were located on or near the tracks after the incident, and emphasized that the cause appeared to be linked to overcrowded locals rather than long-distance express trains.
“One of the injured passengers informed us that the fall happened when commuters hanging on the footboards of two trains brushed against one another. This is a recurring risk in congested sections during morning peak traffic,” he explained.
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
The tragic event has drawn strong reactions from political leaders and public representatives. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. “This is an extremely unfortunate incident.
My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. The state is taking all necessary steps to ensure swift medical care for the injured,” read a statement from his office.
The Deputy CM’s office also confirmed that an inquiry has been ordered by the Railways to determine the exact cause and lapses, if any, that led to the fatalities. “Hospitals in Thane and Kalwa have been placed on high alert and instructed to provide immediate and comprehensive medical care to the victims,” the statement added.
Shiv Sena MP from Thane, Naresh Mhaske, demanded a thorough investigation into the tragedy. In a televised interview, Mhaske questioned the circumstances under which the passengers fell.
“We need to determine whether this was due to crowding, a physical altercation, or perhaps some other failure. Even if it was a local train, how can such a lapse be allowed to happen in this day and age?” he asked.
Adding to the chorus of concern, Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, posted on X (formerly Twitter), labeling the incident as “heartbreaking and serious.” He further said, “This unfortunate tragedy raises disturbing questions about the state of commuter safety on Mumbai’s suburban railways.”
Systemic Concerns Amidst Rising Commuter Volume
The Mumbai suburban rail network, often referred to as the city’s lifeline, transports over seven million passengers daily. Overcrowding, especially during rush hours, remains a long-standing issue despite periodic upgrades in infrastructure and frequency of services.
Incidents such as Monday’s tragedy underscore the critical need for more robust crowd management, modernized carriages, and perhaps most urgently, greater investment in alternative public transport networks to ease the daily burden on the suburban system.
Investigation Underway
As railway and police authorities continue to piece together what led to the accident, commuters and citizens alike are left grappling with yet another grim reminder of the risks posed by an overstretched rail network.
The official inquiry is expected to submit its preliminary findings within the week, even as calls grow louder for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
