13 killed as speeding container truck crashes into tempo in Maharashtra's Palghar

According to the police, more than 50 passengers were travelling in the tempo. The vehicle was allegedly moving on the wrong side of the Mumbai-Gujarat lane, per a statement by the Palghar district administration.

In Short

• Speeding container trailer collided with tempo carrying 50 passengers
• Both vehicles overturned; motorcycle also caught up in the deadly pile-up
• Rs 5 lakh compensation announced by CM Fadnavis for families of victims

At least 13 people died, and 25 others were injured in Maharashtra's Palghar after a speeding container trailer crashed into a tempo ferrying guests to an engagement ceremony. The tragic incident took place on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.

According to the authorities, more than 50 people were travelling in the tempo, which was allegedly moving on the wrong side of the Mumbai-Gujarat lane.

The mishap occurred when the trailer of a truck coming from the opposite direction lost control, and its container box collided heavily with the left side of the tempo, officials said.

The police said that the impact of the collision was so severe that both the tempo and the container trailer overturned on the spot.

As many as 13 people died on the spot and about two dozen others sustained serious injuries after being trapped beneath the container and the tempo.

A motorcycle was also caught in the pile-up caused by the trailer going out of control, officials said.

Upon receiving information about the incident, the local Member of Parliament, Hemant Savara, and Superintendent of Police, Yatish Deshmukh, reached the spot and reviewed the rescue and relief efforts. Officials have assured that the injured will receive proper medical treatment.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for families of the deceased.

An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

However, SP Deshmukh said that the accident prima facie appears to have been caused by the tempo driver’s mistake.

Preliminary investigations also suggest that the tempo was carrying passengers way beyond its capacity. The trailer truck's speed is also suspected to be one of the primary causes behind the crash.

- Ends
(With inputs from Hussain Khan, PTI)