Maharashtra: Several killed, multiple injuries reported following Major Accident on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway

New Delhi: A deeply heart-wrenching incident unfolded early Monday morning in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. In a horrific collision between a truck packed with wedding guests and a speeding container vehicle near the Kasa area on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, around 13 people died a tragic death on the spot, while more than 25 others sustained serious injuries.

How did the Palghar accident take place?

The deceased include women and innocent children. Upon receiving news of the accident, the festive joy of the wedding celebrations instantly turned into mourning. According to preliminary police inspections and eyewitness accounts, the primary cause of the accident was the container driver's excessive speed and gross negligence. Around 4:00 AM on Monday—when the national highway was shrouded in darkness and light fog—a massive container truck heading towards Gujarat lost control and violently rammed into a smaller Eicher truck approaching from the opposite direction.

What did the police say?

The impact of the collision was so severe that both vehicles overturned, and the truck carrying the wedding guests was completely wrecked. Locals stated that the passengers aboard the truck were traveling from Bapugaon in Dahanu Tehsil to attend a wedding ceremony. There were more than 40 people on board this small truck. The police suspect that the container driver may have dozed off briefly during the early morning hours.

Following the crash, the highway was filled with screams and cries of distress. Local villagers present at the accident site demonstrated great promptness, initiating relief operations immediately and alerting the police. Subsequently, the Kasa police and the highway rescue team arrived at the scene.

How did the authorities react?

With the aid of cranes, the damaged vehicles were righted, and the passengers trapped underneath were extricated. The 25 seriously injured victims were immediately admitted to the nearby Kasa Sub-District Hospital, where the condition of six individuals remains critical. Of these, four critically injured patients have been transferred to hospitals in Mumbai and Thane.

As a result of this horrific accident, traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway came to a complete standstill, leading to a traffic jam stretching for several kilometers. The police have completed the *panchnama* (official inquest) formalities and sent the bodies for a post-mortem examination; furthermore, they cleared the debris using a crane to restore traffic flow.

Was any compensation announced?

The Superintendent of Police stated that a case has been registered against the absconding container driver, and an investigation has been initiated. The container driver has been on the run since the accident occurred. The police have formed two teams to effect his arrest. The Government of Maharashtra has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased, while financial assistance of ₹50,000 each is being provided to the injured. Directives have also been issued to ensure that the injured receive medical treatment free of cost.