At least 11 people were killed in a horrific road accident in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Monday after an Eeco van collided head-on with a cement mixer on the busy Kalyan-Ahilyanagar highway, officials said.
The accident occurred around 11:15 am on Panjar bridge near Kalyan when the van, carrying 12 passengers from Murbad, rammed into the oncoming heavy vehicle. The impact was so severe that the van was completely mangled, leaving little chance for those inside to escape.
According to preliminary reports, 11 passengers died on the spot, while one person, reportedly an elderly woman, survived with critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the crash produced a loud noise that drew local residents to the scene. People from nearby areas rushed to help and assisted in pulling victims out of the wreckage, even as emergency services were alerted.
Police personnel from Titwala station reached the site shortly after and initiated rescue and documentation procedures. Traffic movement on the stretch was disrupted for some time as authorities worked to clear the damaged vehicles and restore normalcy.
Also read: 7 dead, 4 injured after being run over by truck in Gujarat
Officials said that nine of the deceased have been identified so far, and post-mortem examinations are currently underway. The identification of the remaining victims is in progress.
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear. Investigators are examining whether overspeeding, driver error, or loss of control led to the collision. Authorities have not ruled out any possibility and said a detailed probe is underway.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on busy highways and bridges, particularly involving heavy vehicles. Local residents said the stretch has witnessed accidents in the past and called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
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