Mumbai: A horrific accident took place on Monday evening, December 9, on SG Barve Road in Kurla West, where a BEST bus plowed through a crowded market, claiming six lives and injuring 43 others. The tragic accident and the circumstances around it has sparked several questions about whether the crash resulted from drunk driving or a brake failure.
Eyewitnesses Claim Bus Driver Was Drunk
The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. when a BEST air-conditioned electric bus on Route No. A-332 veered into the bustling Kurla West market. Eyewitness accounts suggest the driver, identified as Sanjay More, was allegedly intoxicated, as per an IANS report.
The bus collided with at least 25 vehicles, including a police jeep, and struck multiple pedestrians before grinding to a halt after a chaotic 500-meter rampage. Shockingly, some witnesses reported that More appeared to be laughing during the incident.
#KurlaBusAccident: CCTV Visuals Of #BESTBus Ramming Into Vehicles, Crushing People In Busy Market Surfaces pic.twitter.com/oiIlKMsKT4
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) December 10, 2024
CCTV Footage Shows Horrifying Scenes
The crash happened near the L Ward office on SG Barve Road, close to the Anjuman-e-Islam School. CCTV footage captured scenes of terror as people scrambled to escape the speeding bus. Emergency responders, including Kurla police and local authorities, rushed to the scene. The injured were transported to Bhabha Hospital and other nearby clinics for treatment.
Details On The Deceased
The deceased included Kaniz Fatema Ansari (55), Afreen A. Shaikh (19), Anam Shaikh (18), and Shivam Kashyap (18), while many of the injured remain in critical condition. The accident caused significant damage to vehicles, including autorickshaws, scooters, motorcycles, and a police jeep.
Cause Of The Accident
The exact cause of the tragedy remains unclear, with initial reports suggesting a potential brake failure. However, the driver’s alleged intoxication has raised alarm. Sanjay More, who operated the bus leased by the Kurla Bus Depot, has been booked on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether mechanical failure or human negligence was responsible for the deadly crash.
CM Fadnavis Announces Aid For Victims
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the tragic accident. In a post on social media platform X, the official handle of Devendra Fadnavis’ Office extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery for those who were left injured.
कुर्ला येथे बेस्ट बसच्या अपघातात काही लोकांचे मृत्यू झाले, त्याबद्दल तीव्र दुःख व्यक्त करत मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण केली आहे. त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत. तसेच जखमींच्या प्रकृतीत लवकर सुधारणा व्हावी, यासाठी मी प्रार्थना…
— @OfficeOfDevendra (@Devendra_Office) December 10, 2024
Fadnavis further announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Aid Fund. He also assured that the treatment expenses for the injured would be covered by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and BEST.
