Tragic Bus Incident: Casualties Rise to 7; Inexperienced Driver Apprehended

Mumbai, Dec 10 (NationPress) The fatality count in the BEST electric bus incident has tragically risen to seven, with an additional 34 individuals injured, as it was revealed that the driver was inexperienced.

Contrary to what locals and victims speculated, the driver -- Sanjay More -- was reportedly neither intoxicated nor was the vehicle malfunctioning; however, his blood samples have been sent for further examination.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the fatalities and wished for the quick recovery of those injured.

“We will extend a financial support of Rs five lakh to the families of the deceased. I have instructed that the BMC and BEST cover the medical expenses for all injured individuals,” Fadnavis stated.

A somber Deputy CM Ajit A. Pawar noted that a thorough investigation is underway, and the responsible party will face strict consequences.

Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), including Aditya Thackeray, Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), and M. Arif Naseem Khan from Congress, alongside other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders, have called for a comprehensive inquiry into this incident and severe action against those at fault.

Jt. Commissioner of Police (L&O) Satyanarayan Chaudhary stated that police are conducting a thorough investigation, which includes a medical assessment of the accused and an inspection of the ill-fated bus.

“We are investigating in detail, following all legal protocols, and will make decisions accordingly,” Chaudhary informed the media.

The shocking incident transpired around 9.30 p.m. in the bustling Kurla West market, when More accelerated the bus and collided with at least 25 vehicles, causing chaos in the vicinity.

This horrific accident occurred near the Lal Bahadur Shastri Road adjacent to Anjuman-E-Islam School on S.G. Barve Marg.

Surveillance footage released this morning revealed numerous individuals fleeing for their lives from the out-of-control vehicle, which struck parked and moving autorickshaws, two-wheelers, private cars, and even a police van stationed in that area.

The BMC Disaster Control reported at noon that the accident resulted in seven fatalities, with another 34 individuals, some critically injured, receiving treatment at various hospitals.

The air-conditioned bus, leased by the BMC, was linked to the Kurla Bus Depot and was en route to Sakinaka in Andheri East at the time of the chaos.

With approximately seven passengers onboard, the bus wreaked havoc for nearly 500 meters before crashing into a shop and coming to a sudden stop as enraged pedestrians attempted to apprehend More.

Video clips showed that the furious crowd nearly lynched More, were it not for a brave officer who protected him and swiftly took him to the police station, where he was later arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He is set to appear before a Magistrate Court later today.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ganesh Gawade later remarked that the BMC has removed the bus from the accident scene, and it will undergo a complete inspection by RTO officials.

According to initial investigations, More lost control of the bus and continued driving into the crowd and traffic, despite some locals alleging that he was intoxicated and laughing at the chaos he was causing.