A normal Monday morning turned tragic during the Mumbai local train accident near Mumbra. A bag worn by a commuter on a passing train reportedly brushed against passengers hanging on the footboard, causing several to fall off. Four people lost their lives, and many others were left injured.
Dipak Shirsat, a regular commuter, witnessed the entire scene unfold. His close friend and colleague, 23-year-old Ketan Saroj, was among those who fell. The duo had boarded their usual 8:30 am train from Shahad to Airoli (a journey they’d done for years). But this time, it ended with a tragedy.
‘Killer Bag’ At Mumbra Curve Caused Mumbai Local Train Accident
Shirsat shared how one small contact led to a major tragedy. He told reporters at Thane Civil Hospital, “At the curvature near Mumbra, a bag worn by someone hanging on a footboard of the train coming from the opposite direction brushed against passengers on our train. People started falling one after another. Ketan was one of them.”
The accident happened at a sharp curve between Diva and Mumbra stations – a stretch often packed with passengers. One train was headed to Kasara, and the other to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Shirsat said the train was crowded after Kalyan, especially once it left Diva. Ketan, like many others, had moved to the door to get some air. That’s when the deadly moment happened.
Emergency Chain Pulled, But No Action
What made things worse was the lack of response. Shirsat said passengers pulled the emergency chain three times, but the train didn’t stop. It kept running until Thane station, nearly 12 km away from the accident site.
He said, “If the train had stopped when we pulled the chain, some lives could have been saved.”
Shirsat also revealed that Ketan had called him to come stand by the door, but he had stayed inside. That decision likely saved his life. He said, “The train was full, but I managed to squeeze in. Ketan stayed at the footboard.”
He explained that standing at the door is common due to overcrowding. Many passengers try to get close to the exit or just breathe. But it’s a risky habit, and it turned fatal this time.
According to Central Railway, 13 people fell. Four died, and the rest are being treated.
