Mumbai Bhandup Bus Accident: 4 Killed, 10 Injured as BEST Bus Mows Down Pedestrians Near Railway Station
MUMBAI: A horrific accident outside Bhandup (West) railway station late Monday night has left four people dead and at least 10 others injured after a BEST bus lost control while attempting a maneuver on a heavily congested road. Among the deceased is a Marathi actress, Pranita Rasam, and a nurse from Sion Hospital.
The incident, which occurred around 10:05 PM on December 29, has sparked outrage over road safety and the lack of pedestrian space in Mumbai’s crowded suburban station areas.
Chilling CCTV Captures Moment of Impact
The accident involved an air-conditioned electric bus (Olectra model) operating on Route A-606. CCTV footage from a nearby textile shop shows a group of commuters standing along the roadside when the vehicle suddenly lunged while attempting a tight U-turn or reversing.
CCTV footage of bhandup bus accident
— Indrajeet chaubey (@indrajeet8080) December 30, 2025
footage shows several passengers standing on the roadside when a bus suddenly approaches at high speed
People start running to save their lives #Bhandup#BESTbus@MumbaiPolice @mybmc pic.twitter.com/1VQxUdqSdN
Eyewitnesses described a scene of absolute chaos as the bus mowed down pedestrians before crashing into a roadside pole. Local shopkeepers and commuters were the first to respond, tilting the bus to rescue those trapped under the wheels.
Victims Identified: Families Devastated
The Mumbai Police have confirmed the deaths of four individuals:
- Pranita Rasam (31): A Marathi actress who was returning from a shoot. Her 9-year-old daughter, who was with her, also sustained injuries.
- Mansi Gurav (45): A dedicated nurse at Sion Hospital.
- Varsha Sawant (25): A local resident.
- Prashant Shinde (53): An employee with the Traffic Department.
The injured were rushed to MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. At least one victim, identified as Prashant Lad, remains in critical condition.
Driver Detained: Was it Human Error or Mechanical Failure?
The Bhandup Police have detained the driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant (52), and the conductor, Bhagwan Bhau Ghare. Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake while navigating the narrow lane.
“The bus involved is a wet-lease vehicle from Vikhroli depot. We are investigating whether this was a case of criminal negligence or a technical malfunction in the electric bus system,” stated a senior police official.
Congestion and Encroachment: A Recurring Tragedy
The tragedy has highlighted the perennial issue of station-area congestion. Local residents and the police have pointed out that hawkers occupy almost the entire footpath on Station Road, forcing hundreds of commuters to walk on the main road.
Pharmacist Saimini Mudaliyar, an eyewitness, noted that buses frequently struggle to turn in the area due to the “suffocating” crowd and illegal encroachments. This incident comes almost exactly one year after a similar fatal BEST bus crash in Kurla that killed nine people.
Government Response and Ex-Gratia
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), calling the incident “extremely unfortunate.”
मुंबईतील भांडूप रेल्वे स्थानकानजीक झालेल्या एका दुर्दैवी अपघातात 4 जणांचा मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना अतिशय दुर्दैवी आहे. मी त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 29, 2025
या घटनेत 9 जण जखमी झाले असून त्यांना लवकर बरे वाटावे, अशी मी ईश्वरचरणी प्रार्थना करतो.
मृतांच्या वारसांना 5 लाख रुपये…
He has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and assured that the state government will bear the full cost of treatment for the injured.
