Mumbai, June 9, 2025 (Mumbai local train accident)– In a devastating incident that has once again exposed the vulnerability of Mumbai’s suburban rail infrastructure, four commuters lost their lives and nine others sustained serious injuries after falling from an overcrowded local train between Diva and Mumbra stations in Thane district on Monday morning.
What Happened Mumbai local train accident ?
The tragedy(Mumbai local train accident) struck around 9:00 AM during peak rush hour. A Kasara-bound fast local train was traveling at full capacity when it passed another local on the adjacent track. Passengers clinging to the footboards a common sight on Mumbai’s overburdened rail network lost balance due to the sudden jolt and pressure wave, falling onto the tracks below.
Incident Overview of Mumbai local train accident
- Date & Time: June 9, 2025, around 9:00 AM IST
- Location: Diva–Mumbra stretch, Central Railway, Thane district
- Train Details: Kasara-bound fast local train
- Cause: Severe overcrowding and passengers hanging from footboards led to falls when the train passed another on an adjacent track
Panic and Chaos at the Site
Eyewitnesses reported horrifying scenes. Screams filled the air as commuters fell mid-transit. Survivors described a scene of absolute chaos, with injured individuals lying beside the tracks and others frantically trying to pull them to safety. Emergency services were alerted immediately, but several commuters succumbed to injuries before they could receive medical help.
Among the deceased was a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable and 22-year-old Ketan Saroj, who fell in front of his friend. Many of the injured are reportedly in critical condition and undergoing treatment at Thane Civil Hospital and other local medical centers.
Casualties & Injuries
- Fatalities: At least 4 confirmed dead, including a GRP constable
- Injuries: 9 others seriously injured, some in critical condition
- Victim Profile: Among the deceased was 22-year-old Ketan Saroj, who tragically fell in front of his friend(Mumbai local train accident)
Eyewitness Accounts & Panic
- Eyewitnesses: Reports describe scenes of chaos as commuters struggled to maintain balance amidst the overcrowded conditions
- Cause of Falls: Passengers reportedly lost their balance and fell due to the overcrowding and sudden jerks when two trains passed each other
Safety Measures & Infrastructure Plans
- Automatic Doors: Railway Ministry plans to install automatic doors on all local trains to enhance passenger safety
- Coach Redesign: Non-AC coaches to be redesigned with automatic door closures and improved ventilation
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Calls for urgent rail infrastructure overhaul to address overcrowding and improve safety
Government and Railway Response (Mumbai local train accident)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed condolences and called for a high-level inquiry. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde visited the injured and announced immediate safety audits for high-traffic rail routes.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, facing political heat, assured swift implementation of automatic doors on local trains to prevent such incidents in the future. The Central Railway has also ordered the redesign of non-AC coaches with modernized ventilation and safety features.
State Minister Girish Mahajan confirmed a ₹5 lakh ex-gratia payment to the families of each deceased passenger.
Government Response & Political Reactions
- State Government: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident “unfortunate” and announced an investigation by Railways
- Compensation: State Minister Girish Mahajan declared a compensation of ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family
- Opposition Leaders: Congress’s Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s resignation and called for ₹25 lakh in compensation, criticizing the lack of infrastructure improvements
Political Outcry and Public Backlash
The incident sparked intense criticism from opposition leaders, with Congress MLA Harshwardhan Sapkal demanding Vaishnaw’s resignation and urging for ₹25 lakh in compensation per victim. Public anger is growing over long-standing issues like severe overcrowding, lack of basic safety infrastructure, and delayed rail modernization.
Ongoing Investigation
The Central Railway has initiated a formal inquiry into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest that overcrowding and passengers hanging from footboards were significant factors contributing to the tragedy of Mumbai local train accident. The investigation aims to identify systemic issues and implement corrective measures to prevent future incidents.
