Three killed after falling from overcrowded Mumbai train

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) Three people were killed in Mumbai Thursday after they fell off an overcrowded local train, railway officials said.

Fourteen people travelling in other packed trains were also injured.

"A few passengers had fallen off between Nahur and Bhandup (railway stations on the central line). It was further understood that several passengers sought first aid at Bhandup, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations. Rail officials visited the site and found two passengers had died on the spot and one was grievously injured who later died in the hospital," a Central Railway official said.

Central Railway, however, refused to accept responsibility of the accident stating that since no rail structure including gantries, masts, etc. were found infringing the movement of trains in that stretch, this was a freak accident.

"It appears that this unfortunate and freak incident is a result of extreme overcrowding on the train. It is also suspected that a part of some object carried by passengers was protruding out of the train and may have hit the maintenance platform attached to the signal ladder, thereby causing the platform to dent," the official said.

"Most of the injured have got injuries around elbow and arms, as the level of platform is almost at the top of door level," he added.

Central Railway further said that Railway Minister Mukul Roy has expressed deep concern over the incident and has extended condolences to the bereaved families.

An ex-gratia compensation of Rs.2 lakh to the next of kin of the three deceased passengers have also been announced.

"An ex-gratia amount of Rs.500 to those with simple injures and Rs.5,000 to those grievously injured is also being given and the expenditure on account of hospitalisation of the injured passengers is also being borne by Railways," the official said.

Meanwhile, the Government Railway Police have registered a case against signal maintenance officials for negligence leading to the fire in the signal room Wednesday.

Millions of commuters have had a harrowing time the last two days after train services were curtailed following a fire in the main signal cabin at Kurla station. Repair work on the fire-ravaged signal network has been taken up on a war-footing, an official said.