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The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
At least 5 killed as passengers fall off overcrowded train in India
At least five people died and seven others were injured when commuters fell from an overcrowded local train near India's Mumbai city, officials said. The incident occurred as two fast trains passed each other near Mumbra station, around 30 km north-east of central Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. The victims were travelling on a long-distance express train bound for Kasara, a town on the city's outskirts, according to officials. The train departed on Monday morning from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), one of the world's busiest railway stations. According to witnesses cited by The Indian Express, the incident occurred when passengers hanging from the open doorways of the Pushpak Express collided with others doing the same on a train approaching from the opposite direction. 'We received the information by 9.15 am and rushed to the spot to find about seven people lying injured, and at least five dead,' Anil Shinde, Senior Police Inspector at Mumbra police station, said. 'The injured and the deceased were rushed to the nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa. Four of the injured people went to Jupiter Hospital by themselves.' Maharashtra 's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the incident as 'extremely unfortunate'. 'The incident in which a total of eight passengers fell from a local train between Diva and Mumbra stations, resulting in some fatalities, is extremely unfortunate. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the deceased,' Mr Fadnavis said in a statement. 'The local administration is coordinating efforts on the ground. I pray to the Almighty for the swift recovery of the injured. The railway department has initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.' In response to the incident, the Railway Board has announced immediate safety upgrades for Mumbai's suburban train network. 'All rakes under manufacturing for Mumbai Suburban will have automatic door closer facilities. All rakes in service will be redesigned and door closure facilities will be provided,' said Dilip Kumar, executive director (Information & Publicity) of the Railway Board. Harshwardhan Sapkal, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, an opposition party, said the government was responsible for the accident. 'These deaths are not by accident. These people became victims at the hands of the government. For the past 11 years, the people of Maharashtra and Mumbai have been listening to empty promises about improved infrastructure and smoother commutes for Mumbaikars,' he said. The Central Railway is investigating and helping coordinate emergency response. Crowd‑control engineers have flagged footboard travel and overcrowding as recurring dangers, and authorities are urging commuters to avoid hanging on footboards on moving trains. Mumbai's suburban railway network is one of the busiest in the world, carrying over seven million passengers each day. Trains run with open doorways, and overcrowding often forces commuters to stand or hang from the footboards – a common but hazardous practice during peak hours.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Understanding Expiry Dates: Can you use a medicine just a few days past it?
Have you ever found a strip of medicine in your drawer that's just a few days past its expiration date and wondered—'Is it still safe to take?' You're not alone. Many of us face this dilemma, especially when immediate access to a fresh supply isn't possible. Expiration dates on medications are often viewed as strict cutoffs, but the truth is more some medicines may retain their potency for a short time after the expiry date, others can become ineffective or even dangerous. In this article, we explore what expiration dates mean, how storage conditions impact drug safety, and when it's necessary to avoid expired medicines. Guided by science and expert insights, we help you make informed decisions about using medications past their labelled shelf life. All you need to know from the expert Kasara, Director and CEO,Steris Healthcare Pvt. DO THE EXPIRATION DATE REALLY MEAN?Expiration dates are guidelines set by pharmaceutical companies and must be followed legally. These dates indicate the period during which manufacturers guarantee full potency and safety, assuming ideal storage conditions. It is well-established that products tend to lose effectiveness when used beyond their expiration SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS: ARE EXPIRED DRUGS ALWAYS INEFFECTIVE?A notable example is the collaboration between the US military and the FDA, which found that a significant percentage of over 100 drugs retained their potency even 15 years after expiration, provided they were stored correctly. However, this primarily applies to solid forms like tablets and MEDICATIONS: WHEN EXPIRY MEANS DANGERLiquids, injectables, and biologics such as insulin or antibiotics carry much greater risks when expired. These types of medications are more likely to lose potency and may even promote bacterial CONDITIONS MATTERThe preservation of a drug's effectiveness depends largely on its storage conditions. Heat, humidity, and light can accelerate degradation. Hence, storing medications in bathrooms or cars is not recommended. Instead, cool and dry places, such as linen closets, are better suited for maintaining drug IN POINT: EPINEPHRINE AND EMERGENCY MEDICATIONSEpinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) exposed to fluctuating temperatures may lose their effectiveness. Yet, studies show that some retain up to 90% potency months after expiration, making them potentially useful in emergencies when no alternatives are RISK OF SUB-THERAPEUTIC DOSESSome antibiotics and pain relievers may remain effective shortly after expiration. However, there's a risk they may deliver sub-therapeutic doses—potentially leading to ineffective treatment or antibiotic THAT MUST NOT BE USED AFTER EXPIRYCertain critical medications must never be used past their expiration date. These include:Liquid antibioticsNitroglycerin (used for angina)Insulin (for diabetes)Birth control pillsThyroid medicationsEven slight potency loss in these drugs can compromise treatment COST, ACCESS, AND SAFETYAccess and cost can complicate decision-making. While it's ideal to replace outdated medications, older drugs may sometimes be the only affordable option. In such cases, seeking advice from a pharmacist or doctor is crucial, especially for chronic conditions or high-stakes DISPOSAL OF EXPIRED MEDICATIONSFrom an environmental and safety perspective, expired medications should be disposed of properly. Use take-back programs or follow the FDA's disposal guidelines to prevent accidental misuse and reduce environmental many medications may remain safe and effective a few days past their expiration, especially if stored properly, this is not universally true. It depends on the type of medication, how it has been stored, and the clinical context. The best practice is to replace essential medications promptly and consult healthcare professionals for safe and informed decisions.
