According to the medical team, all injured passengers are now in a stable condition. (File)
Mumbai:
Thane Central Railway Deputy Commissioner Manoj Nana Patil on Sunday attributed the rush at Bandra Terminus to the increased passenger flow due to the festive season and the unconditional nature of the train.
Despite the Central Railway's announcement of two unreserved trains departing from Mumbai, Deputy Commissioner Patil noted that the influx of passengers for the special train affected the Antyodaya Express, creating an overwhelming crowd that led to a stampede.
“Antyodaya Express is a weekly train that runs every Sunday. Since it is unreserved and affordable, it usually attracts a large number of passengers. Due to the Diwali festival, the crowds were unusually high. Moreover, the special train that was supposed to run yesterday did not arrive , due to which more passengers gathered here. Our team was present, but people suddenly rushed for seats. No one was seriously injured in the incident… We are investigating the facts,” said Manoj Nana Patil.
At least eight persons were injured during the stampede at Bandra Terminus today, according to an official statement from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The incident took place around 2.45 am, when passenger train number 22921 Antyodaya Express was slowly being taken from the BDTS premises to platform number 1. Some passengers on the platform tried to board the moving train, leading to a fall that injured two people.
In response, officers on duty from RPF, GRP and Home Guard immediately admitted the injured to the nearby Government Bhabha Hospital.
According to the medical team, all injured passengers are now in a stable condition.
Of the injured, five were admitted for treatment, while three chose to self-discharge against medical advice (DAMA). In addition, two patients were transferred to KEM Hospital for further care.
The injured are identified as Shabhir Abdul Rehman (40), Sameer Shaikh (22), Mohammad Shareef Shaikh (25), Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta (28), Ravindra Harihar Chuma (30), Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati (29), Sanjay Tilakram Kangay (27) and Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18).
Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticized the local administration and the Indian Railways, citing inadequate planning of the festive season that led to the incident.
“The stampede at Bandra Terminus is very disturbing… This highlights the failure of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Insufficient trains during the festive season and local administrative lapses have contributed to this accident,” said NCP-SCP leader Clyde Crasto.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
