A car catches fire in an underpass on Mumbai’s coastal road; No victims
A sudden fire in a moving car left hundreds of people stuck in a massive traffic jam in Mumbai’s Coastal Road underpass on Wednesday – an experience described by several people as “the most frightening experience of my life”.
The accident did not result in any loss of life, but questions were raised about the safety procedures inside the tunnel, while the fire department was able to extinguish the fire immediately after noon. The accident was reported in the southbound tunnel carrying traffic from Haji Ali towards Worli at 12.25 pm, a civic official said, according to news agency PTI.
“Screaming, panic, and complete chaos.”
“Today, I had one of the most frightening experiences of my life while driving on my daily route from NSCI, Worli to my office at ‘Roopam’ on Marine Drive through the Coastal Road underpass,” said Viren Shah, a garment trader who was among those stranded.
“A few hundred feet from my car, I suddenly saw flames extending from one side of the tunnel to the other, appearing to be moving towards the line of vehicles, including my car. Within seconds, traffic came to a complete halt,” said Shah, who is president of the Mumbai-based Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA).
He said he saw people abandoning their cars and running back towards the Worli side of the tunnel: “There were screams, panic and complete chaos.”
Shah said he also abandoned his car and started running. He added in a message to reporters: “I must have run for about a kilometer before reaching the exit, and in the end I returned safely to my office.”
He described it as “a scene straight out of a Hollywood disaster movie.”
He added: “Seeing the flames in front of us and hundreds of people trying to escape in fear is something I will never forget.”
Videos on X also showed the panic, including one shared by Shaunak Modi, director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation. “Many people left their cars in the tunnel and ran out to block the path for anyone in front of them. Zero preparedness, complete chaos. These tunnels need fire suppression systems and Mumbaikars need lessons in preparedness in case of an emergency like this.”
Questions asked
Viren Shah went on to list some specific questions: “Do motorists know where the nearest emergency exit is? Are the exits clearly visible and appropriately marked? What is the safest way to escape smoke and suffocation? What emergency procedures should the public follow during such incidents?”
He suggested that the Maharashtra government should consider enhancing emergency preparedness within the tunnel infrastructure “by installing clearer safety signage, clear evacuation directions, public awareness information and conducting periodic emergency preparedness drives”.
Officials said that firefighters and police personnel rushed to the scene, and the ambulance service was mobilized at 108. Officials said that no injuries were reported in the accident.
There has been no word yet on the questions raised by those affected.
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