NEW DELHI: A stampede at Bandra Terminus station in Mumbai has left at least nine people injured, with two in critical condition. The incident occurred at 5:56 am on platform number 1, just before the departure of the Bandra-Gorakhpur Express. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) attributed the chaos to the heavy festive rush ahead of Diwali.
The injured were quickly transported to Bhabha Hospital for treatment. As per reports, seven of the victims are stable, while two have sustained more serious injuries. The injured individuals have been identified as Shabhir Abdul Rehman (40), Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta (28), Ravindra Harihar Chuma (30), Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati (29), Sanjay Tilakram Kangay (27), Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18), Mohammad Shareef Shaikh (25), Indrajith Sahani (19), and Noor Mohammad Shaikh (18).
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Witnesses described a scene of panic as the train, identified as Train No. 22921, arrived at platform 1, drawing a large crowd of eager passengers. The train had arrived from the yard at around 2:30 am, leading to an overwhelming rush as people tried to board. Eyewitness accounts noted that the stampede began when a couple of passengers attempted to board before the train had fully stopped, leading to a surge of people.
Reports indicate that rescuers found individuals trapped at almost every corner of the train, whether at the entrance or in the space between coaches. This overwhelming crowding contributed to the chaotic situation.
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Emergency response was swift, with railway authorities arranging for ambulances to assist the injured. Disturbing visuals from the scene showed blood on the platform and passengers being helped onto stretchers. In one video, a railway officer was seen carrying an injured individual on his shoulder.
According to sources, the Western Railway is expected to provide an explanation regarding the incident, as it occurred within their jurisdiction. However, no official statement has been released by the Western Railway department as of now.
“This morning’s stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus was a result of an unexpected surge of crowds trying to board the train,” one eyewitness recounted. “The situation escalated quickly, leaving nine people injured.” The incident highlights ongoing concerns about crowd management at busy transport hubs, especially during peak travel times associated with festivals.