Tragic Subway Surfing Incident in Brooklyn Claims Two Lives
Two young girls who tragically lost their lives in a subway surfing incident in Brooklyn have been identified. The father of one of the victims expressed his heartache, stating that his daughter was “full of life” and that the loss came far too soon.
Zemfira Mkhtarov, 12, from Brooklyn, and Ebuva Molina, 13, from Manhattan, were found unconscious at a metro station on Mercy Avenue Broadway in Williamsburg around 3:10 a.m. on Saturday, according to police reports.
Both girls died at the scene, bringing the total number of fatalities this year related to this alarming trend to five, as reported by authorities.
Ruslan Mkhtarov, Zemfira’s father, shared his despair, saying, “After the tragic loss of my beloved daughter Zemfira, who died in a devastating accident at a metro station, we reach out for support.” A GoFundMe page has been created to help with funeral and memorial expenses, reflecting the community’s commitment to assisting the family during this tragic time.
He added that Zemfira, just weeks away from her 13th birthday, was taken from them far too quickly during a heart-wrenching incident that was supposed to be filled with life and joy.
Witnesses said that Zemfira and Ebuva were part of a larger group—around 15 teenagers—playing around the train before they were found on the roof. The authorities did speak to a few boys at the station who were with them but released them afterward.
Subway surfing, a trend fueled by social media where teens record themselves riding on top of trains, has become increasingly dangerous. Officials reported six deaths related to this activity in 2024 and five the previous year. Comparing these figures to the period from 2018 to 2022, when only five fatalities were recorded, the rise is concerning.
“It’s heartbreaking that these two young girls are gone because they thought it was just a fun game to ride outside the subway train,” remarked NYC Transit’s Demetrius Cricklow. He urged parents, teachers, and friends to convey the seriousness of the risks involved, stating that boarding a train in such a manner is more akin to a death wish than harmless fun.
The last known victim of subway surfing was 15-year-old Carlos Oliver from the Bronx, who was killed last summer. In March, another young boy, Gustaboguaman Quiz Pirema, was severely injured in a similar incident and died days later.
MTA officials have been vocal about the need for parents to monitor their children’s activities more closely, emphasizing the campaign “Ride Inside and Alive Stay Alive,” which has been running since 2023. Additionally, the NYPD has begun employing drones in their efforts to curb this dangerous trend, addressing over 229 incidents thus far in 2024.
