Mumbai Train Pushpak Express Accident: The Maharashtra government on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of the kin of the passengers who died after falling from overcrowded local train earlies today (June 9), according to reports. Over ten passengers were seriously injured and at least four died after falling from overcrowded Pushpak Express near the CMST station between Diva and Kopar, en route to Mumbra. The incident occurred due to suspected door malfunctions and sudden jerks. Victims were rushed to a hospital in Kalwa and an investigation into the tragic mishap is currently underway.

The Pushpak Express was extremely crowded as passengers were seen hanging from doors in the videos that have surfaced online. Visuals surfacing on social media show passengers falling on the track. While four people died, four others were seriously hurt and suffered grave injuries. The railway administration and police reached the spot and the injured were rushed to the nearest hospital.

As per PTI reports, at least ten passengers fell down from the moving train. However, Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer of the Central Railway shared that “it is unclear from which train they fell from”. The police is still to release an official statement on the incident. However, according to Central Railways, the reason for the accident is believed to be excessive crowd on the train.

Following the incident, Railway Board has issued a directive confirming that all rakes currently being manufactured for Mumbai local trains will have door-closing mechanism, as per ANI reports. Further, all rakes in service will be redesigned and door closure facility will be provided in these rakes of Mumbai Suburban local line, the report from the Railway Board said.

‘Not a collision’ identify probable cause : Officials

CPRO Nila said in a statement, “It is not a collision. In this incident, the passengers travelling on footboards in trains in opposite directions got entangled. This is one of the suspected reasons for the incident, as informed by a passenger. The distance between two trains is 1.5-2 meters, but on curves, a slight tilt happens and this could be an additional reason for the incident.”

‘Reel or Rail Minister?’, asks Aditya Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray broke silence on the Mumbai train accident and slammed Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Stating that is not a one-off incident, he said it “is unfortunate but not new, such incidents have happened in the past, we don’t know whether he is Rail Minister or Reel Minister…”