Mumbai: Four Killed, Several Injured as Reversing BEST Bus Triggers Tragedy Near Bhandup Station
Mumbai: Four Killed, Several Injured as Reversing BEST Bus Triggers Tragedy Near Bhandup Station
Mumbai witnessed another heartbreaking public transport tragedy late Monday night when a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus ran over pedestrians near Bhandup (West) railway station, killing four people and injuring several others. The mishap took place around 10:05 pm on the busy Station Road outside Bhandup (W) railway station. According to officials and sources within the BEST Undertaking, the bus was being reversed at the endpoint of its route when it struck people standing near the bus stop. The vehicle allegedly lost control during the maneuver and rammed into a group of waiting passengers.
Police officials present at the scene said the bus hit around 10 to 12 individuals. Four people died on the spot, while at least nine others sustained injuries. Among those who lost their lives were three women and one man. The injured included one woman and eight men, all of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources also indicated that five to six people were seriously hurt.
The bus involved in the accident was reportedly an electric vehicle manufactured by Olectra, similar to the one involved in the Kurla crash last year. At the time of the incident, Santosh Ramesh Sawant (52) was driving the bus, while Bhagwan Bhau Ghare (47) was on duty as the conductor.
Balasaheb Pawar, Senior Police Inspector of Bhandup Police Station, confirmed that forensic experts and police teams were immediately deployed at the site. Following initial reports, multiple emergency services—including the Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, BEST officials, and ambulance services—were activated and rushed to the scene to assist victims and secure the area.
The Mumbai Police stated that the accident occurred while the driver was reversing the bus and that the vehicle appeared to have gone out of control before hitting pedestrians. A large police presence was maintained at the location soon after the incident to manage crowds and regulate traffic, as the area remained congested for several hours.
Senior civic and police officials also arrived at the spot to oversee rescue operations and coordinate emergency response efforts. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) noted in its preliminary report that the collision happened during the reversing process of the bus.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Officials are examining whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors contributed to the accident.
Reacting to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the tragedy as “extremely unfortunate.” In a post on X, he expressed his condolences and announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives.
