Fatal Mumbai Train Accident Caused by Protruding Backpack: Central Railway Investigation Reveals

Commuter's 'Protruding' Backpack Behind Thane Train Accident That Killed 5

Mumbai: A Central Railway investigation has determined that a passenger's "protruding" backpack caused an accident that resulted in eight commuters falling from two trains in Thane district this June, with five fatalities, officials announced Wednesday.

The investigation team eliminated technical malfunction, passenger altercations, sabotage, or mischief as potential causes after reviewing CCTV footage, passenger testimonies, witness statements, and public input received through social media and phone calls.

Shortly after the June 9 incident near Mumbra, an eyewitness and fellow passenger reported that the accident occurred when a bag worn by someone on a passing train made contact with passengers standing on the footboard of another local train.

According to the Central Railway (CR) investigation, a "30-cm-thick protruding" backpack belonging to a passenger on the footboard of the ninth coach of a Karjat-bound local train (S-11) from CSMT brushed against a person standing on the footboard of a Kasara-CSMT train (N-10) traveling in the opposite direction.

This unexpected contact created a "domino effect" that caused two passengers from the S-11 train and six from the N-10 train to lose their balance and fall from the moving vehicles. Five passengers died as a result of the accident.

Officials explained that the investigation team reached the "protruding backpack" conclusion after examining CCTV recordings from several stations including Mumbra, Diva, Thane, Titwala, Shahad, and Kasara, along with statements from injured passengers, witness accounts, and public feedback received through various channels.

The report confirmed that both trains were traveling at approximately 72 kmph, within authorized speed limits, when they passed each other at the accident site.

The investigation also emphasized that there was sufficient clearance between the two trains, ruling out any physical contact between the train coaches or any technical or track-related issues.

Inspection of both local trains (EMU rakes) at the Kurla carshed revealed no defects, though investigators found a fresh mark on coach 5341A of the N-10 train, confirming external impact from a backpack, officials stated.

While the S-11 train was not crowded as it was off-peak hours on the Down line, the CSMT-bound N-10 train was heavily packed, according to the report. The investigation conclusively ruled out passenger disputes, sabotage, or deliberate misconduct.

Following the incident, the Central Railway had requested information from the public and railway employees regarding the June 9 accident.