25-Year-Old Car Dealer Dies After Airbag Deploys Unexpectedly in Parked Vehicle in Mumbai

Mumbai, 27th June 2026 : In a rare and tragic incident, a 25-year-old car dealer lost his life after the steering wheel airbag of a parked car allegedly deployed unexpectedly during a routine inspection in Mumbai.

The deceased, identified as Mohit Suresh Soni, was examining a 15-year-old Honda car on Wednesday afternoon before accepting it for sale to a third party. According to police, Soni had parked the vehicle by the roadside to inspect it when the steering wheel airbag suddenly inflated.

The force of the deployment reportedly caused the airbag’s plastic cover to strike the right side of his neck, resulting in a severe injury and heavy bleeding. Passers-by alerted the police, who rushed Soni to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Government Hospital in Bhayandar. However, doctors declared him dead before admission.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the incident. Initial examination of the vehicle found no signs of any external collision, and officials said the 15-year-old Honda possessed a valid fitness certificate.

A forensic team visited the scene and collected evidence, including blood samples from inside the vehicle. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has also been directed to inspect the car’s mechanical and electrical systems to determine whether a technical malfunction or electrical fault triggered the unexpected airbag deployment. Investigators are also tracing the vehicle’s previous owner to find out if the car had experienced similar issues in the past.

Mohit Soni’s family has demanded a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fatal incident.

Airbags are designed to deploy within milliseconds during a collision to protect vehicle occupants from serious injuries. However, experts note that if an airbag deploys unexpectedly due to a malfunction, the force of deployment can itself cause severe or even fatal injuries.

Authorities are awaiting forensic and technical examination reports to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the tragic death.