Deputy Commissioner of Thane Central Railway on the stampede in Bandra.

According to the medical team, the condition of all the injured passengers is now said to be stable. (file)

Mumbai:

Thane Central Railway deputy commissioner Manoj Nana Patil blamed the festive season and increased rush of passengers due to trains being unreserved for the stampede at Bandra Terminus on Sunday.

Despite the Central Railway announcing two unreserved trains departing from Mumbai, Deputy Commissioner Patil said the influx of passengers for the special train overwhelmed the Antyodaya Express, causing huge crowding and a stampede.

“Antyodaya Express is a weekly train that runs every Sunday. Being unreserved and cheap, it usually attracts a large number of passengers. Due to the Diwali festival, the crowd was unusually high. Also, yesterday The special train did not arrive, resulting in more passengers gathering here, but people suddenly ran for seats. No one was seriously injured in the incident. We are investigating the facts. “

At least eight people were reported injured in a stampede at Bandra Terminus today, according to an official statement from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The incident occurred around 02:45 am, when passenger train number 22921 Antyodaya Express was slowly being brought to platform number 1 from BDTS yard. Some passengers on the platform attempted to board the moving train, due to which they fell, injuring two people.

In response, the RPF, GRP and Home Guard officers on duty immediately admitted the injured to the nearby Government Bhabha Hospital.

According to the medical team, the condition of all the injured passengers is now said to be stable.

Five of the injured were admitted for treatment, while three chose to discharge themselves against medical advice (DAMA). Additionally, two patients were transferred to KEM Hospital for further care.

The injured persons were identified as Shabbir Abdul Rehman (40), Sameer Shaikh (22), Mohammed Sharif Shaikh (25), Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta (28), Ravindra Harihar Chuma (30), Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati (29), Sanjay Tilakram. Has been done in. Kange (27), and Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18).

Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticized the local administration and the Indian Railways, citing inadequate planning for the festive season which led to the incident.

NCP-SCP leader Clyde Crasto said, “The stampede at Bandra Terminus is deeply disturbing… It exposes the failure of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Inadequate trains during the festive season and local administrative shortcomings contributed to the accident. “

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)