In a tragic start to the week, four passengers lost their lives and six others sustained injuries after falling from a moving train in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Monday morning. The incident occurred between Diva and Kopar railway stations as the overcrowded local train was heading towards Kasara during peak hours.
According to railway police officials, the train was packed with commuters, many of whom were standing at the doors. At least ten passengers reportedly fell off while the train was in motion. A guard aboard another train traveling on the same route noticed the injured people lying near the tracks and promptly alerted railway authorities.
Emergency teams rushed the injured to a civic-run hospital in Kalwa, where four passengers, all between 30 to 35 years of age, were declared dead on arrival.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, confirmed that the control room was informed around 9:30 a.m. about injured passengers spotted alongside the tracks. While the exact train from which the victims fell has not yet been confirmed, investigations are underway.
The incident has triggered strong reactions from political leaders. Shiv Sena MP from Thane, Naresh Mhaske, called for a detailed probe into the tragedy, raising critical questions: “Was it overcrowding, a scuffle, or negligence? The administration needs to be vigilant,” he told a local news channel.
Adding to the outcry, Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, described the accident as “heartbreaking and serious” in a post on X. He noted the unusual nature of the incident, pointing out that so many people suddenly falling from what may have been the Pushpak Express raises deeper concerns about railway safety protocols.
As families mourn the victims, the incident underscores the persistent issue of overcrowding and the urgent need for safer conditions in Mumbai’s suburban railway network.
