.jpeg)
At least five passengers lost their lives and several others have been injured after falling from an overcrowded local train between Diva and Mumbra stations in Thane district on Monday, Central Railway officials told ToI.
The incident occurred when two trains crossed each other in opposite directions. According to officials, passengers standing on the footboards of both the up and down trains collided during the crossing, ToI reported.
CPRO, Central Railway, Swapnil Dhanraj Nila said that passengers travelling at the edge of the doors in trains moving in opposite directions got entangled and lost balance.
"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," Nila said.
A total of eight passengers fell from the train and five were declared brought dead.
Maharashtra train accident: Passengers hang near doors
Preliminary reports suggest that the train was overcrowded and several passengers were hanging near the doors. Some of them reportedly lost their grip and fell off the moving train near Mumbra station.Police teams and railway administration reached the spot shortly after the incident, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. An investigation into the cause of the incident has been initiated.
Local train services on the Central line were disrupted following the accident. Central Railway officials have confirmed that efforts are underway to restore normal operations.
Following he accident, an order was issued by the Railway Board for all rakes under manufacturing for Mumbai suburban trains to have automatic door closer facilities. Further, all rakes in service will have a redesigned door closure facility. .
