The tragic BEST bus accident near Mumbai’s Kurla railway station claimed seven lives and injured 49 others, officials confirmed on Tuesday morning. The disaster unfolded late Monday night when the driver allegedly lost control of the electric bus, plunging a busy marketplace into chaos.
Kurla Accident Details
The incident occurred at approximately 9:50 PM on Monday near Anjuman-e-Islam School on S G Barve Marg in Kurla (West). The electric BEST bus, operating on Route Number 332 between Kurla and Andheri stations, veered off course, mounted a footpath, rammed multiple vehicles, and ran over pedestrians.
The driver, Sanjay More, has been arrested, and an FIR has been registered against him. Authorities suspect driver error but are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.
Traffic Disruptions and Route Diversions
In response to the accident, police have temporarily closed Kurla Station Road to traffic, causing significant disruption in the area. BEST officials announced that bus services on multiple routes have been altered. Routes 37, 320, 319, 325, 330, 365, and 446 will operate from Kurla depot. Buses on routes 311, 313, and 318 will be diverted via Tilak Nagar, while Route 310 buses will take a detour via Tilak Nagar Bridge to reach Bandra station.
Casualties and Medical Response
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that the injured were taken to various hospitals across the city. At Bhabha Hospital, 35 individuals were admitted, with two declared dead on arrival and two succumbing to injuries during treatment.
Kohinoor Hospital received three patients, one of whom passed away during treatment, while the other two remain in critical condition. Four injured police officers being treated at Seven Hills Hospital are reported to be in stable condition. Habib Hospital confirmed one fatality and admitted five injured patients.
Government Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased. “We share the grief of their families and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Fadnavis stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He also assured that the treatment expenses of the injured will be borne by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and BEST.
The Kurla bus accident has left the city in mourning, with grieving families and injured victims coping with the aftermath. The incident has also sparked discussions about safety measures and the need for better traffic management in congested areas like Kurla.