A recent incident at Mumbai's Devipada metro station has sparked widespread concern after a video capturing harrowing scenes inside a metro coach went viral on social media. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, unfolded when a private bus erupted in flames near the Western Express Highway adjacent to the metro station.
According to reports from the Free Press Journal, the bus caught fire unexpectedly, sending billowing clouds of black smoke into the air. As fate would have it, a metro train arrived at the Devipada station just as the fire raged nearby. Upon opening its doors, the metro inadvertently invited thick plumes of smoke into its coaches, leading to a scene of panic and distress among passengers.
The 50-second video, widely shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), paints a stark picture of the chaos inside the metro coach. Passengers can be seen struggling to breathe amidst dense smoke, many resorting to covering their faces with handkerchiefs, masks, and anything available to shield themselves from the hazardous air. Visibility inside the coach was severely compromised, exacerbating the already tense situation.
Yogesh Namjoshi, the user who shared the video, described the ordeal as a "very serious emergency situation" at Devipada station. His post highlighted the immediate aftermath of the bus fire, underscoring the risks faced by commuters despite the swift response of metro staff and firefighters who managed to extinguish the flames promptly. Thankfully, no casualties were reported due to the fire.
The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols and emergency preparedness within Mumbai's metro network. Questions arise about the adequacy of ventilation systems and the need for improved coordination between metro operations and local emergency services. Concerns have also been raised regarding the timing of the metro's arrival at the station amidst an ongoing fire incident, highlighting potential gaps in safety procedures.
In response to the incident, public figures and officials, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have been tagged in social media posts, urging swift action to address safety concerns and prevent future occurrences. The need for stringent safety measures to safeguard commuters against such unforeseen emergencies remains paramount, as Mumbai's metro system continues to be a vital lifeline for millions of daily passengers.
As investigations into the incident continue, commuters and authorities alike hope for comprehensive reforms that prioritize passenger safety above all else in one of India's busiest urban transit networks.
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