Mumbai Kurla BEST Bus Tragedy: Seven Dead, 42 Injured as Investigation Continues

The death toll from the horrific BEST bus crash in Mumbai’s Kurla West has risen to seven, with 42 others injured, according to officials on Tuesday. The accident occurred on Monday night when a bus veered out of control and collided with pedestrians and vehicles along SG Barve Marg, a key thoroughfare near Kurla station.

The bus, travelling from Kurla to Andheri, lost control over a 100-meter stretch, slamming into approximately 30-40 vehicles before crashing into the RCC column of the Solomon Building and damaging its compound wall. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that the vehicle finally came to a stop after entering the residential complex of Buddha Colony.

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) authorities, in a statement, explained that the driver lost control of the bus, which accelerated before crashing. Several vehicles were dragged and damaged along the path, and pedestrians were caught in the chaos. The driver, Sanjay More, has been detained by the police for questioning.

According to hospital sources, three individuals were declared dead at the scene and were brought to Bhabha Hospital. On Tuesday, the official death toll was confirmed to be seven. The injured passengers were rushed to local hospitals for treatment, some in critical condition.

The bus, a 12-meter-long electric vehicle manufactured by Olectra Greentech, was on a wet lease to BEST. Authorities are investigating whether mechanical failure or driver error contributed to the incident.

SG Barve Marg has been closed for traffic while investigations continue. To ensure minimal disruption, BEST has diverted its buses to other nearby routes, bypassing the accident site. SG Barve Marg is a busy corridor used by many commuters travelling to Bandra-Kurla Complex and other areas.

Mumbai Police and local authorities have been working swiftly to manage the situation, providing aid to the injured and conducting a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident.

The tragic incident has highlighted the challenges of managing busy public transport routes, and authorities have promised to take corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, with experts examining both the condition of the bus and the actions of the driver.