Minibus Gets Stuck During High Tide at Gorai Beach in Mumbai; FIR Filed Against Driver Despite No Injuries
Minibus Gets Stuck During High Tide at Gorai Beach in Mumbai; FIR Filed Against Driver Despite No Injuries
A minibus got trapped in the sands of Mumbai’s Gorai Beach during high tide on the morning of Monday, September 8, raising serious concerns about public safety and vehicular access to coastal zones during peak tidal activity. Though no passengers were onboard at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported, the situation could have turned perilous had locals not intervened promptly.
According to reports, the driver had dropped passengers at a private bungalow located near the beach shortly before the tide began to rise. Around 10 AM, while attempting to drive the vehicle away from the beach area, the minibus became stuck in the wet sand as the high tide surged in. Trapped and unable to maneuver the vehicle out, the driver called out for help. Local residents quickly responded, using ropes and manual effort to assist in pulling the vehicle out of the tide’s reach.
A minibus got stuck on Gorai beach after its driver took it for a spin on the sand post tourist drop-off. The vehicle was trapped during high tide but luckily no passengers were inside. Locals later helped pull it out. #Mumbai #Gorai @mid_day pic.twitter.com/kOAuX6YGrs
— Ranjeet Shamal Bajirao Jadhav (@ranjeetnature) September 8, 2025
Officials have confirmed that the driver managed to escape safely and no injuries were sustained. However, the Mumbai Police have initiated legal action against both the driver and the vehicle owner. According to officers from Gorai Police Station, the driver had been explicitly warned by local authorities not to venture beyond a marked safe zone on the beach due to tidal risks. Ignoring these cautions, the driver proceeded further, leading to the dangerous situation.
An FIR has now been registered under relevant sections pertaining to negligence and endangering human life. Authorities are using the incident as a reminder that beach driving is both risky and, in many cases, restricted, especially during high tide conditions.
Tidal Patterns Pose Increasing Risk
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a tide warning for Mumbai on the same day, stating that the city and its suburbs would remain under cloudy skies with a likelihood of moderate rainfall. High tide was expected to peak at 12:10 PM at a height of 4.57 meters, while the low tide was forecasted for 6:20 PM, falling to 0.69 meters. The following high tide is scheduled at 12:35 AM on September 9, reaching up to 4.00 meters, with the next low tide anticipated at 6:18 AM at 0.62 meters.
Such tidal variations are not uncommon in Mumbai, where coastal areas like Gorai, Juhu, Versova, and Marine Drive often experience extreme fluctuations in water levels. During high tide, sea water can rush inland with significant force, making it highly unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians who venture too close to the waterline.
🗓️ ८ सप्टेंबर २०२५
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) September 8, 2025
⛈️ ☔ मुंबई शहर व उपनगरात आकाश साधारणतः ढगाळ राहून मध्यम स्वरुपाचा पाऊस कोसळण्याची शक्यता आहे.
🌊 भरती –
दुपारी १२:१० वाजता – ४.५७ मीटर
ओहोटी –
सायंकाळी ६:२० वाजता – ०.६९ मीटर
🌊 भरती –
मध्यरात्री ००:३५ वाजता (उद्या, ९ सप्टेंबर २०२५) – ४.४५ मीटर…
Environmental experts and civic officials have repeatedly urged the public to observe tide warnings, especially during the monsoon season, when unanticipated water surges are more frequent. Beaches may appear calm during the early hours of the day, but tides can rise suddenly, trapping people or vehicles with little to no warning.
While the driver in the Gorai incident managed to avoid a tragic outcome, the episode underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of beach access regulations. It also highlights a lack of public awareness regarding the risks posed by natural phenomena like tides, which can escalate into emergencies within minutes.
Civic authorities have urged both tourists and residents to heed safety signage and cooperate with law enforcement officers stationed at beach areas. Additionally, transportation operators—particularly those ferrying passengers to and from coastal properties—are being warned to avoid driving onto the sand, especially during high tide windows.
