Mumbai local trains to get automatic doors after four fall to death

At least four people died and several others were injured when 13 passengers barely hanging from the doors of an overcrowded moving local train fell on the tracks in Thane district of Maharashtra on Monday morning, prompting the Railways to move towards automatic doors on Mumbai's lifeline.

- DHRUVAKSH SAHA

The incident took place around 9:30 am between Mumbra and Diva stations of the suburban network.

While official estimates by the Central Railway said four people had died, reports said the casualties had risen to five.

One of the suspected reasons for the accident, according to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Swapnil Nila, is passengers hanging by the footboards of two trains coming in opposite directions brushing against one another.

CPRO Swapnil Nila based his account on a passenger's statement.

"Of the 13 injured, four died and four were being treated. The Railway Board has decided to retrofit all existing rakes, which will result in reducing the possibility of these occurrences.