Special Correspondent | Mumbai
A major train accident occurred on the Central Railway line in Mumbai on Monday morning, claiming five lives and injuring several others. The incident involved the Lucknow-bound Pushpak Express, from which 12 passengers reportedly fell onto the tracks between Diva and Kopar railway stations. The mishap caused widespread panic among commuters, as it happened during peak rush hour.
According to preliminary information, the accident occurred between Diva and Mumbra stations around 8:45 AM. The Pushpak Express had departed from CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) at 8:25 AM and was headed toward its next stop at Kalyan. Due to severe overcrowding in the general compartments, many passengers were seen hanging near the doors. It is suspected that a sudden jerk or heavy push from inside the train caused them to lose their grip and fall from the moving train.
Eyewitnesses and railway sources confirmed that five passengers fell near Mumbra station. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported all injured passengers to Kalwa Hospital. Sadly, five of them were declared dead upon arrival. The condition of the remaining passengers is still being assessed.
There is still confusion about whether the passengers fell from the Pushpak Express or a different train running along the same route. Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Swapnil Nila, stated that the exact train involved in the incident is under investigation. “We are verifying all details. A full inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause and to establish which train was involved,” he added.
The Pushpak Express is a long-distance train that runs between Mumbai and Lucknow and is known for carrying a heavy rush, especially in its unreserved compartments. Commuters and rail activists have long raised concerns over overcrowding and inadequate security arrangements on long-distance trains, especially during the morning rush hours.
