Caught on CCTV: People in horror as BEST bus crushes pedestrians, killing 4 in Mumbai

Monday night turned tragic in Mumbai's suburban Bhandup (West) when a civic-run BEST bus ploughed into a group of pedestrians, killing four and injuring several others. The incident occurred around 10:00 PM on the notoriously congested Station Road. Chilling CCTV footage from a nearby textile shop captured the horrific moment when the bus, while attempting to reverse or take a tight U-turn at its route endpoint, suddenly accelerated into commuters standing on the roadside.

The footage reveals a scene of absolute chaos as people scrambled in different directions to escape the massive vehicle. Unfortunately, four individuals, including three women, were crushed under the wheels. The deceased have been identified as Mansi Gurav (45), a nurse; Pranita Rasam (31), an actress; Varsha Sawant (25); and Prashant Shinde (53). Witnesses described a "desperate scramble" as local shopkeepers and residents rushed to tilt the bus and rescue those trapped underneath.

The injured, totalling at least nine people, were immediately rushed to MT Agarwal and Rajawadi hospitals. Among the survivors is the nine-year-old daughter of the deceased actress Pranita Rasam. Authorities have detained the bus driver, identified as 52-year-old Santosh Ramesh Sawant, and an FIR has been registered for rash driving and causing death by negligence. Preliminary reports suggest the accident may have been caused by either a technical malfunction or human error during the difficult maneuver.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his deepest condolences, describing the event as “extremely unfortunate.” He announced an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure free medical treatment for all the injured. The incident has once again sparked outrage regarding the heavy encroachment of footpaths by hawkers, which often forces pedestrians to stand directly in the path of heavy vehicles.