Mumbai: 2 Critical Among 10 Injured In Stampede At Bandra Terminus As Large Crowd Gathers To Board Gorakhpur Express; Terrifying Visuals Surface

Mumbai: On Sunday, a stampede at Bandra terminus of Western Railways in Mumbai left ten individuals injured ( including two in critical position being treated in KEM )as crowds rushed to board the Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express. According to Western Railways, valid tickets were found only in the possession of two injured individuals.

 The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing large passenger volumes during peak travel seasons, particularly around major festivals like Diwali and Chhath.

According to an official, chaos unfolded around 2:45 am on platform number one, just as the rake of Antyodaya Express was slowly approaching the platform from the yard. Reports indicate that the train was not yet fully stopped and its doors remained locked for safety. However, a surge of eager passengers attempted to board the moving train, resulting in a dangerous situation that led to multiple injuries.

The Western Railway is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede and aims to implement additional safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that as many passengers tried to board simultaneously, a few fell, leading to a stampede-like scenario. Despite the Western Railway’s statement claiming only two injuries, sources from the Mumbai disaster control cell reported that a total of ten people were injured in the incident.

Details Of The Injured

According to a senior officer,  injured person were later 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} Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18), Noor Mohammad Shaikh (18) and Indrajit Sahani ( 19).

Among these, Sahani and Noor Mohammad Shaikh are reported to be in critical condition and shifted to KEM Hospital.

Railways Issue Statement

According to WR,  on-duty Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and Home Guard personnel swiftly responded, assisting the injured and transporting them to the hospital. Videos from the scene, which circulated on social media, captured moments of chaos, including an RPF officer carrying an injured passenger and others using makeshift stretchers.

An official of WR said about 2.5 hours before the scheduled departure at 5.10 am, the train was being placed ( backed ) on the platform.

"Unfortunately, some passengers tried to board the train while it was moving, because of which they got injured," he said.

"An adequate number of Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel along with ticketing staff remains deployed on the stations, to ensure smoother boarding of passengers at the railway stations. Also, they are allowed to board the trains in queue as per the protocol" further added official.

According to sources, in the attempt to board the train, some people fell on the platform when they came in between two coaches.

Prima facie, the people fell on the platform after colliding with the coaches or in the space between two coaches, the sources said.

"Ideally, doors of the coaches are opened after the train makes a halt at the platform and passengers then board in a queue," a WR source said.

The RPF personnel and local people immediately rushed the injured persons to the Bhabha Hospital.

The Western Railway has urged passengers to strictly adhere to safety protocols, emphasizing that boarding and alighting from trains should only occur when they are fully stopped. Officials reiterated that the train doors are typically opened only after the train has come to a complete halt.

"Keep in mind  Diwali and Chhath festivals, the Indian Railway is operating hundred of special train trips trains to various destinations, particularly to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in anticipation of increased passenger volume" said an official adding that extra ticket counters and a special holding area to facilitate smoother boarding processes during this busy period has been also created.

 Current Details of Injured 

According to Dr. Sushil (CMO Bhaba Hospital) total 10 injured reported, three injured (Shabhir Abdul Rehman, Sameer Shaikh and Mohammad Shareef Shaikh) took DAMA (discharge against medical advice) discharge and two injured namely Noor Mohammad Shaikh and Indrajit Sahani transferred to KEM hospital for further treatment. Both are in critical condition. Remaining five including Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta, Ravindra Harihar Chuma, Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati, Sanjay Tilakram Kangay and Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav are being treated in Bhaba hospital.