13 Killed in Tempo-container Collision on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway

Mumbai: At least 13 people died and 25 others were injured after a tempo carrying guests to an engagement ceremony collided with a speeding container trailer in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway on Monday.

The accident occurred near Dhaniwari village under Dahanu taluka at around 4 pm. when the tempo with nearly 40 passengers was heading for the engagement ceremony. A container trailer coming from the opposite direction reportedly rammed into the left side of the tempo.

Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh stated, “A tempo carrying 30 to 40 people was driving on the wrong side of the road on the Gujarat-Mumbai road. A container was coming from the opposite direction and collided with the side of the tempo, resulting in the death of 13 people and an additional 16 hospitalised. The police and city administration initiated rescue efforts. Traffic was normalised immediately.”

The injured have been taken to Vedantaa Hospital in Dahanu and Kasa Sub-District Hospital for medical treatment. The Palghar District Administration has launched an investigation into the accident.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences on social media, stating, “The news of the loss of lives in the road accident that occurred in the Palghar district of Maharashtra is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of those injured in this accident.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered his sympathies, writing, “The road accident that occurred in Palghar, Maharashtra, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The local administration is providing the highest level of medical facilities to the injured. I pray to God for the swift recovery of all the injured.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who died in the accident. He said, “It is tragic that 13 people lost their lives in an accident at Dahanu in Palghar on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway when a tempo collided with a container. Hearing about this incident has left me deeply saddened. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them.”