A late-night tragedy struck a crowded street in Mumbai's eastern suburbs, claiming four lives and leaving eight others injured after a public transport bus ploughed into pedestrians. The incident occurred on Monday, December 30, 2025, around 9:35 PM, on the congested Station Road outside Bhandup railway station in Bhandup West.
Chaotic Scene on Station Road
According to police reports, the bus, operating on route number 606 between Bhandup station and Nardas Nagar, was taking a turn when the driver, identified as Santosh Sawant (50), lost control of the vehicle. The bus veered onto the footpath, running over people who were standing in a queue. The impact was so severe that a nearby lamppost was also damaged in the collision.
Eyewitness Saimini Mudaliar described a harrowing scene. "I saw the bus go at high speed and run over 12-15 people," Mudaliar said. Videos that surfaced after the incident showed locals and bystanders desperately pushing the tilted bus to one side in an attempt to rescue those trapped underneath. "After the bus was tilted to one side by those present, body parts were found below," Mudaliar added, highlighting the severity of the accident.
Casualties and Immediate Response
The accident resulted in immediate panic. Twelve seriously injured persons were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. They were admitted to MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar.
Tragically, four of the victims succumbed to their injuries. The deceased included three women and one man. Meanwhile, eight other injured individuals, comprising seven men and one woman, are currently undergoing treatment. The driver, Santosh Sawant, was taken into police custody immediately following the incident.
Investigation Launched, Echoes of Past Tragedy
The fatal crash has drawn grim parallels to a similar accident in Kurla last year, where a BEST bus rammed into vehicles and pedestrians, killing nine people. Authorities have assured a thorough probe into the Bhandup incident.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Satyanarayan stated that the investigation will focus on determining the root cause. "We will investigate if there was some mechanical error due to which the driver lost control over the vehicle or whether it was a human error," he said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemraj Rajput confirmed that a technical examination of the bus would be conducted as part of the inquiry.
The incident has once again raised urgent questions about road safety, driver training, and vehicle maintenance on Mumbai's notoriously busy and often narrow streets, particularly in areas surrounding railway stations.
