A horrific accident involving a BEST air-conditioned electric bus on SG Barve Road in Kurla West claimed six lives and left 43 others injured on Monday evening, December 9. The incident, described as a tragedy of unprecedented scale, sent shockwaves through the bustling locality.
CM Fadnavis Expresses Condolences, Announces Aid
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his profound grief over the loss of lives, extending condolences to the bereaved families. Fadnavis announced financial assistance of ?5 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. He also assured that medical expenses for the injured would be covered by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and BEST.
"The loss of lives in this accident is deeply saddening. Our prayers are with the families of the victims, and we hope for the speedy recovery of those injured," said Fadnavis in his statement.
Tragedy Unfolds on SG Barve Road
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 PM near the L Ward office on SG Barve Road, close to the Anjuman-e-Islam School. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as the speeding bus tore through a congested market, damaging at least 25 vehicles, injuring pedestrians, and causing panic among onlookers.
The bus, operating on Route No. A-332 towards Sakinaka, was driven by Sanjay More, who is alleged to have been intoxicated at the time of the crash. Eyewitnesses recounted that the driver appeared to be laughing and indifferent as the vehicle traveled 500 meters, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake before finally coming to a halt.
Casualties and Response
The deceased were identified as Kaniz Fatema Ansari (55), Afreen A. Shaikh (19), Anam Shaikh (18), and Shivam Kashyap (18), with two other victims yet to be named. Many of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at Bhabha Hospital and nearby private clinics.
Police and emergency services were quick to respond, with CCTV footage capturing scenes of people screaming and scrambling to avoid the bus. The Kurla police have registered a case against the driver under multiple charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Investigation Underway
Initial reports suggest a potential brake failure; however, the driver's alleged intoxication has raised serious questions. Sanjay More has been taken into custody, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Community Reacts
The accident has sparked outrage among local residents, who have called for stricter measures to ensure the safety of public transportation and harsher penalties for negligence. The loss of young lives, particularly teenagers, has left the community grieving.
As Kurla grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, authorities have pledged a thorough investigation and preventive measures to avert such incidents in the future.
