Mumbai experienced a tragic road accident late Monday evening after a BEST bus reversing at the end of its route in Bhandup collided with pedestrians, resulting in four fatalities and injuring nine others, police officials confirmed.
The incident occurred around 10:00 pm, when the driver was attempting to reverse the bus at the designated endpoint. According to Mumbai Police, the vehicle lost control during the manoeuvre and struck a group of people standing nearby, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Among those behind the wheel at the time was Santosh Ramesh Sawant (52), a BEST staff driver. The bus conductor Bhagwan Bhau Ghare (47) was also on duty when the accident took place.
Emergency services and a heavy police presence were quickly deployed to the scene following the collision. The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, where they are currently receiving medical care. Authorities have cordoned off the area to manage traffic flow and support rescue operations.
Officials from the city’s transportation and civic departments, along with senior police officers, arrived at the site to oversee the response and investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash.
BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport), which operates India’s largest public bus fleet, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and pledged cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing inquiry.
The cause of the loss of control is still under investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting possible mechanical issues or driver error. Police are interviewing witnesses and examining footage from nearby CCTV cameras to piece together a clearer timeline of events.
Local residents and commuters expressed shock and grief over the incident, highlighting concerns about pedestrian safety near busy bus termini. As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to review safety protocols for reversing manoeuvres and pedestrian zoning near bus endpoints across the city.
