The Day It Rained Gold In Mumbai

It was soon after 4pm on 14 April 1944, when two loud explosions momentarily overpowered the noise of colonial Bombay, driving the city’s inhabitants into a state of fear and frenzy. What followed was a frightening shower of burning gold blocks, metal and debris, and a fast-spreading fire that engulfed over two square miles of south Bombay. The incident, which is now known as the Bombay explosion of World War II, caused widespread death and destruction around the city, and is still grimly remembered by the city’s residents.

The source of the explosion was a British freighter catching fire at what was then the Victoria Dock of Bombay. The freighter, SS Fort Stikine, had been carrying an assortment of cargo including gold bars and cotton in addition to over 1,400 tonnes of explosive ammunition. Having caught fire, the ship exploded in two giant blasts causing tremors to be recorded as far as Shimla, over 1,700km away, in present-day Himachal Pradesh, and causing death and destruction across the city.

The incident caused widespread damage. The fire enveloped and sank around 11 nearby ships, claimed between 800 and 1,300 lives, including those of 71 firemen who were trying to control the blaze. Burning debris fell upon and set fire to nearby areas which included some of its most advanced commercial areas, as well as crowded slums. Over 80,000 people were recorded to have lost their homes and possessions, while over 50,000 lost their jobs as a result of their employers having been affected.

Propeller piece of a ship that landed in the St. Xaviers School in Mumbai during the Bombay Explosion (1944)

Mumbai, along with the rest of India, observes Fire Service Week every 14-20 April, in memory of the Bombay explosion and subsequent rescue mission. The city’s fire brigade has built a memorial outside its headquarters in Byculla to honour those fire-fighters whose lives were claimed by the explosion.

Memorial dedicated to fire-fighters who lost their lives during the Bombay Explosion (1944)

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.