MUMBAI: Two people were killed and three others sustained injuries after being hit by a suburban train near Sandhurst Road railway station in south Mumbai on Thursday evening, officials said. The incident occurred around 7:00 pm, shortly after suburban services on the Central Railway were disrupted by a sudden flash strike by railway employees protesting an FIR against two engineers involved in the June 9 Mumbra train accident case.
Victims hit after alighting on wrong side
According to preliminary reports, the victims had alighted from the wrong side of the train and were walking along the tracks when another local train hit them. Emergency services rushed the injured to a nearby hospital.
An official from the BMC-run hospital confirmed that two people were brought dead on arrival, while three others sustained injuries.
“Two persons were declared dead on arrival, and three were injured. Of the injured, two took discharge against medical advice (DAMA), while one remains under treatment,” the official said.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
Link to railway employees’ protest
The fatal accident came hours after local train services on the Central line were halted for nearly an hour due to a flash protest by Central Railway employees. The strike was triggered by the registration of an FIR against two engineers — a senior section engineer and a section engineer — under Section 125(a)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for “acts endangering life or personal safety of others.”
The charges stemmed from a probe into the Mumbra accident on June 9, in which four passengers were killed. The incident occurred when two suburban trains — one headed for Kasara and another towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) — were passing each other at a sharp curve. Police said some commuters hanging on the footboards fell onto the tracks after their backpacks brushed against one another.
Services hit during peak hours
The protest on Thursday evening began at around 5:50 pm, when union members gathered at CSMT, preventing motormen and train managers from operating services. The agitation brought the busy suburban network to a halt during the evening rush hour, affecting thousands of commuters.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, said services resumed around 6:45 pm after senior officials held discussions with the protesting employees.
“The protest disrupted local train operations for nearly an hour. Services resumed after officials assured the employees that the matter would be taken up with state authorities,” Nila said.
The sudden suspension of services led to heavy overcrowding in trains and platforms as passengers tried to board the few operational trains.
Inquiry into both accidents
Following the Mumbra tragedy, railway authorities had initiated an internal inquiry and strengthened safety measures along sharp bends and high-density sections. However, Thursday’s fatal accident near Sandhurst Road has again raised concerns about track safety, commuter discipline, and crowd management during service disruptions.
A senior Central Railway official said,
“Passengers often risk their lives by getting off on the wrong side or walking along active tracks. Despite repeated appeals and signage, such incidents continue to occur. This highlights the need for better awareness and stricter enforcement.”
Background: Mumbra accident and legal fallout
In the June 9 Mumbra accident, investigators found that the trains’ close clearance on a sharp curve contributed to the fatalities. The Thane Railway Police subsequently filed a case against two engineers for negligence, prompting widespread anger among railway unions, who claimed the officers were being unfairly targeted for “systemic failures.”
The Thursday flash strike — called without prior notice — was an act of protest against the FIR. While services resumed swiftly, the Central Railway management is expected to meet union representatives to prevent future disruptions.
Conclusion
The Sandhurst Road tragedy has once again spotlighted Mumbai’s chronic suburban railway challenges — from overcrowded trains and inadequate safety infrastructure to passenger negligence. Authorities have urged commuters to follow safety protocols and avoid using the wrong side of the platform.