New York: An Indian-origin woman and a Nepalese-origin man died after being struck by a train at a Manhattan subway station on Sunday. The victims, identified as former Rutgers University students Malaika Chitre and Navam Kaul, were hit by a southbound Number 4 train at the Canal Street Station in lower Manhattan.

Footage circulating online appears to show the two sitting on the subway tracks as the train pulled into the station. Investigations are ongoing to determine if the train operator applied emergency brakes prior to the impact.
 

Authorities are exploring multiple angles regarding how the incident occurred. Citing police sources, local media reported that investigators are assessing whether drugs or alcohol played a role. Detectives have also looked for a suicide note, though none has been recovered. Officials noted that suicide has not been ruled out.

An internal Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) report stated it remains unclear if one of the victims initially fell onto the tracks. However, the report noted indications that the second person may have descended to assist.

Recounting the event, the train operator told officials that she saw a “man and a woman sitting on the track”, adding that the woman was “laughing and pulling the man towards her when the train came into contact”.

Around 100 passengers on board the train at the time of the collision were safely evacuated onto the platform.