Bus Accident in Kurla Mumbai: Seven Dead, 42 Injured in Horrific BEST Bus Crash
Mumbai witnessed a heart-wrenching tragedy on Monday night as a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus ran amok in Kurla West, leaving seven dead and 42 injured. The accident unfolded on SG Barve Marg, one of the busiest routes in the city, where the bus lost control and plowed through pedestrians and vehicles before coming to a halt in a residential society.
The bus, on route A322 from Kurla station to Sakinaka, accelerated uncontrollably, damaging over 30 vehicles and dragging some for over 100 meters. According to police, the driver, Sanjay More, panicked and pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, compounding the chaos. He has since been detained for questioning, and initial investigations suggest brake failure as a possible cause.
A Trail of Destruction
The accident began at 9:30 p.m. when the electric BEST bus, taken on a wet lease from Olectra Greentech, struck pedestrians, motorcycles, autorickshaws, and cars. Witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation as the bus careened through the area, damaging a police jeep before crashing into the compound wall of Buddha Colony, a residential society.
“The sound was deafening, and it felt like a terror attack,” said Kapil Singh, an eyewitness. Another resident, Zaid Ahmed, recounted rescuing injured passengers from a rickshaw that had been hit by the bus. “We saw dead bodies and people lying in pools of blood,” he said.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Bhabha Hospital, where three people were declared brought dead. By Tuesday morning, the death toll had risen to seven, with 42 others undergoing treatment. Among the deceased were Kaniz Fatema Ansari (55), Afreen Shaikh (19), Anam Shaikh (18), and Shivam Kashyap (18), while the identities of three others remain unknown.
Government Response and Eyewitness Accounts
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident, announcing an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and promising full medical coverage for the injured. “We stand in solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses painted a grim picture of the accident’s aftermath. Zeeshan Ansari, who was near the Royal Sweets shop, described the driver as “laughing and enjoying his death drive” before the bus barreled into multiple vehicles and pedestrians. The panic intensified as locals tried to stop the bus, ultimately manhandling the driver until the police arrived.
Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande added to the narrative, stating that the driver, in a state of panic, pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
Watch the video here:
Mumbai Bus Accident Update: 4 Dead, 25 Injured, Including Police Officers
— IANS (@ians_india) December 9, 2024
The tragic bus accident in Mumbai claimed 4 lives, including 3 women and 1 man, with 25 others injured and receiving treatment at Bhabha Hospital. Among the injured are 3 police personnel in critical… pic.twitter.com/3Mu8pk0xgR
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the root cause of the accident. While brake failure is suspected, the Regional Transport Office and technical experts are examining the vehicle for possible mechanical faults or driver negligence.
BEST officials have temporarily shut SG Barve Marg to traffic, rerouting buses to ease congestion. Barve Road, a vital link for commuters heading to Bandra-Kurla Complex, remains cordoned off as cleanup and investigation efforts continue.
A Call for Safety Improvements
This tragedy has reignited debates on public transport safety in Mumbai. As locals grapple with the devastating loss, questions are being raised about maintenance protocols for leased electric buses and the training of drivers handling such vehicles.
Conclusion
The Kurla BEST bus accident has left a lasting scar on the city, claiming seven lives and injuring many others. While authorities probe the technical and human factors behind the crash, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for stricter safety measures in Mumbai’s bustling transport network.
