‘Killer bag’ led to Mumbai train accident: 'People started falling one after another'

One of the trains was heading towards Kasara and the other Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai. (Source: Image/X)

Hours after four people were killed in a train accident near Mumbra in Thane on Monday, an eyewitness and co-traveller, who lost his friend in the tragedy, said the incident occurred due to a bag worn by a commuter on a passing train, PTI reported.

Dipak Shirsat, a resident of Ulhasnagar in Thane district, said as the two trains were passing each other a bag worn by a commuter on the other train brushed against those hanging on the footboard, causing the fall, the report added.

Shirsat lost his friend Ketan Saroj (23) in the accident. One of the trains was heading towards Kasara and the other Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.

According to the report, Shirsat and his friend had boarded their usual 8:30 am local train from Shahad. The duo, residents of Ulhasnagar and also colleagues, were en route to their workplace at Airoli in Navi Mumbai, a routine they had followed for years.

"As always, we took the same train and Ketan stood near the footboard. It was very hot, and Ketan was standing outside the compartment after Kalyan, where the train got crowded at Diva. When we passed Diva, the train was packed to the brim," Shirsat was quoted by PTI.

"At the curvature near Mumbra, a bag worn by someone hanging on a footboard of the train coming from the opposite direction brushed against passengers on our train. People started falling one after another. Ketan was one of them,” he added.

As per the report, the eyewitness said passengers in the compartment pulled the emergency chain at least three times, but the train failed to halt until it reached Thane station.

The incident took place at 9:10 am between Diva and Mumbra stations. According to a Central Railway statement, 13 people fell off the trains of which four died and the others were injured, the report added.