A vehicle caught fire inside the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel on the Haji Ali–Worli stretch on Wednesday afternoon, triggering panic among motorists and briefly disrupting traffic. Emergency teams responded swiftly, extinguishing the blaze and restoring traffic movement within a short time. No injuries were reported.
Fire Breaks Out Inside Busy Tunnel
The incident was reported around 12:25 pm, following which personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police and emergency medical services rushed to the scene. Authorities quickly launched firefighting and traffic management operations to prevent the situation from escalating.
Officials later confirmed that the blaze had been brought under control and phased restoration of traffic had begun.
Traffic Resumes After Emergency Operation
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyanarayan Chaudhari said the northbound carriageway was reopened soon after the fire was extinguished, while the remaining affected lane was restored shortly thereafter.
Traffic movement gradually returned to normal as emergency personnel cleared the tunnel and ensured it was safe for commuters.
Motorists Flee as Smoke Sparks Panic
The sudden fire caused fear among drivers trapped inside the tunnel, with several people leaving their vehicles and rushing towards emergency exits as smoke spread through the enclosed passage.
Among those caught in the incident was Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) President Viren Shah, who described the experience as terrifying. “It felt like a Hollywood disaster movie. People abandoned their vehicles and ran towards the exits after seeing the flames. It was one of the scariest moments I have ever experienced,” Shah said.
He said he ran nearly a kilometre before reaching an emergency exit and expressed relief that no casualties were reported.
Calls for Better Tunnel Safety Measures
Following the incident, Shah urged the government to improve emergency preparedness inside road tunnels by installing clearer evacuation signs, increasing public awareness about emergency exits and conducting regular safety drills for commuters.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Officials said there was no loss of life, while the damaged vehicle has been removed from the tunnel.
Q1. Where did the fire incident occur?
A: Inside the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel between Haji Ali and Worli.
Q2. Were there any casualties?
A: No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Q3. Was traffic affected?
A: Yes, traffic was briefly disrupted before being restored.
Q4. What caused the fire?
A: The exact cause is still under investigation.
