Mumbai: A horrific accident near Kurla railway station on Monday night claimed the lives of four people and left 29 injured when a BEST electric bus lost control and crashed through a crowded marketplace. The incident occurred around 9:50 PM on SG Barve Marg near Anjuman-e-Islam School in Kurla West.
CCTV footage of BEST Bus Ramming into other vehicles & pedestrian killing 3 people & 22 Injured.
đź“Ť Kurla, Mumbai #BusAccident #KurlaBusAccident #kurla #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/dSa4F3OjZB— Mrutyunjaya Swain 🇮🇳 (@Mrutyunjayaswa9) December 9, 2024
The bus, operating on route number 332 between Kurla and Andheri stations, reportedly experienced a brake failure, causing it to veer off the main road, mount the footpath, and plow through multiple vehicles and pedestrians before coming to a halt inside the Shiv Darshan Vihar Cooperative Society compound.
Eyewitness Accounts
“It was chaotic and horrifying,” described an eyewitness, as CCTV footage showed the bus dragging debris and creating a stampede-like situation. People were seen running in all directions as the bus left a trail of destruction.
Emergency Response
The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) classified the incident as a Level 1 emergency. Police and fire brigade personnel quickly reached the site to manage the situation and rescue victims. Injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several reported in critical condition.
Authorities faced significant challenges in retrieving the bus, which took over an hour to remove from the compound.
Legal Action and Investigation
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Satyanarayan, confirmed the registration of an FIR against the driver, who is currently under investigation. “Preliminary findings suggest a brake failure caused the mishap, but further inquiries are underway to determine if negligence was involved,” he said.
The tragic accident has sparked widespread concern over the safety of electric buses and their maintenance. Families of the victims and injured are receiving support from emergency services, while authorities work to ensure justice and prevent similar incidents in the future.