A shocking railway accident took place on the morning of June 9, 2025, near Thane, Maharashtra, where four passengers lost their lives and six others were seriously injured after falling from a moving local train. The tragic incident happened between Kalwa and Mumbra stations on the Central Railway line—one of the busiest railway routes in India.
The incident has raised serious concerns about passenger safety, train overcrowding, and the urgent need for better railway infrastructure. Eyewitnesses describe a horrifying scene where passengers, who were standing near the door due to overcrowding, lost balance and fell off the train as it passed a narrow stretch.
According to officials from Central Railway, the accident occurred around 8:30 AM when a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–bound local train was passing through a tight curve near the Parsik tunnel. The train was extremely crowded, as it was rush hour, and many passengers were seen hanging out of the doors.
As the train gained speed, a sudden jolt or push caused several passengers to lose their grip and fall off the train. While some fell onto the tracks and were instantly killed or critically injured, others hit nearby structures.
Rescue teams and railway police were immediately informed, and the injured were taken to Thane Civil Hospital and other nearby medical centers.
The identities of the deceased have been released by authorities:
- Ravi Jadhav, 28, resident of Kalwa
- Suresh Kamble, 42, resident of Mumbra
- Imran Sheikh, 35, from Bhiwandi
- Sunita Patil, 31, working in Mumbai, resident of Kalyan
The injured include both men and women between the ages of 25 to 50. Some of them suffered head injuries, fractures, and internal bleeding. One of the injured passengers, Nilesh More, shared, “I was standing at the door because there was no space inside. Suddenly, people started falling like dominoes.”
Several commuters who were on the train shared their terrifying experiences. One passenger said, “It was overcrowded like every day. People were pushing from behind. Suddenly, someone screamed, and we saw people falling.”
A video captured by a commuter on another train shows chaos and confusion. People were shouting, calling for help, and others were seen running to rescue those who fell. Many passengers were left in shock and refused to travel onward.
The railway police cordoned off the area immediately and began the investigation.
According to initial investigations by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF), the main causes appear to be:
- Overcrowding during peak hours
- Poor management of passenger flow
- Lack of closed doors on local trains
- Narrow tracks and curves with poor visibility
- Absence of real-time monitoring
A senior railway official said, “This is not the first time passengers have fallen. We have raised concerns earlier, but the situation has only worsened due to increased population and high demand for local trains.”
The Mumbai Suburban Railway is often referred to as the lifeline of Mumbai, but it’s also known for being dangerously overcrowded. Every day, more than 8 million passengers travel in these trains. During rush hours, it becomes almost impossible to enter the compartments, and many are forced to stand on the footboards or hang out of the doors.
Experts say that the lack of additional coaches, delayed train schedules, and limited frequency have made things worse.
According to a 2023 report, more than 2,000 people die annually in Mumbai’s local train network—many from falling off trains or being hit while crossing tracks.
Thanks to the quick response of the Railway Medical Teams, ambulances, and GRP, the injured were rescued within 30 minutes. Local volunteers also came forward to help victims and manage the crowd.
Doctors at Thane Civil Hospital reported that two of the six injured were in critical condition, and one underwent emergency surgery for internal bleeding.
Dr. Rekha More, who treated the patients, said, “These kinds of accidents are becoming common. We see at least one such case every week.”
Several political leaders and local activists have expressed anger and grief over the tragedy. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeted, “How many more lives will we lose before Indian Railways wakes up? This is a daily death trap.”
Others are calling for immediate implementation of crowd control systems and modernization of local trains.
The Indian Railways Ministry had earlier announced a project to upgrade suburban train networks, including AC trains, CCTV cameras, and emergency buttons, but implementation has been slow.
This latest train accident in Thane is not just a tragic incident—it is a loud warning. Every person who boards a train should reach their destination safely, but that basic right is being lost in India’s busiest railway networks.
The families of the victims are left in grief, while injured passengers now face long roads to recovery. Unless strong actions are taken soon, more lives could be lost to overcrowding and negligence.
This tragedy has united voices across Maharashtra calling for urgent railway reforms. Until that happens, for millions who rely on the local trains daily, travel remains a gamble between life and death.
