Tragic BEST Bus Accident in Mumbai Claims Lives: Official vs. Local Death Toll Discrepancy
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A BEST bus on route 332 crashed in Kurla, Mumbai, colliding with multiple vehicles.
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Official reports confirm six deaths, while local sources claim the toll exceeds a dozen.
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The incident has sparked debate over the accuracy of official reports versus local eyewitness accounts.
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The bus reportedly lost control, possibly due to brake failure, leading to a chain reaction of collisions.
In a devastating turn of events, a BEST bus operating on route 332 from Kurla to Andheri crashed in the Kurla West area of Mumbai on Monday evening, December 9, 2024. The accident has left the community in shock and mourning, with a significant discrepancy emerging between official death counts and local reports.
According to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) officials and the BMC Disaster Control, the death toll stands at six, with an additional 43 people injured. The bus, which was an electric AC wet lease model, collided with numerous vehicles including autorickshaws, cars, and motorcycles, and struck several pedestrians before coming to a halt inside a residential complex on SG Barve Road.
The cause of the accident is under intense scrutiny, with initial reports suggesting a possible brake failure or an error by the driver, Sanjay More, who has since been arrested. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) and BEST engineers are examining the bus to confirm these theories. Mechanical failure, particularly in an electric bus, raises concerns about the maintenance and safety standards of public transportation in one of India's busiest cities.
The aftermath of this accident has not only highlighted the need for better safety measures but also sparked a debate on the transparency and accuracy of official reporting. The incident has led to immediate action from the transport authorities, with promises of a detailed inquiry to ascertain all facts, including the exact number of casualties.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the potential hazards in daily public transport and the imperative need for stringent safety checks and emergency response preparedness. As Mumbai grieves, the community awaits further clarity on the loss of life, hoping for both justice and preventive measures to ensure such tragedies do not recur