At least 13 people were killed and 20 others injured on Monday, 18 May when a speeding container truck rammed into an Eicher vehicle carrying members of a wedding party on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The collision, which occurred near Dhanivari, was among the deadliest road accidents on this stretch in recent memory.

How the Accident Unfolded

According to police sources, the container truck was travelling from Gujarat towards Mumbai when it allegedly lost control and collided violently with the Eicher vehicle. The force of the impact was severe enough to overturn both vehicles. The victims were reportedly part of a wedding procession that had departed from Bapu village in Dahanu and were headed towards Dhanivari for the ceremony when the crash occurred.

Preliminary police findings point to overspeeding and driver negligence by the container truck driver as the likely causes. Investigators are also examining whether passenger safety norms were violated, as preliminary findings indicate that more than 40 passengers were travelling in the wedding vehicle — with some local reports suggesting it may have been overcrowded.

Rescue and Relief Operations

Local police and emergency rescue teams reached the site shortly after receiving information about the accident. The Superintendent of Police personally supervised the rescue operation, and officials later confirmed that rescue work had been completed. The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities, including Kasa Sub-District Hospital and a medical centre in Dhundalwadi, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

The wreckage triggered major traffic congestion stretching several kilometres along the busy highway. Highway police deployed cranes to remove the damaged vehicles, gradually restoring traffic movement.

What the Government Said

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each from the state government for the next of kin of those killed. 'The accident at Dhanivari on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway is extremely unfortunate. I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of lives,' Fadnavis said in a post on social media platform X. 'I am in constant touch with the district administration. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,' he added. The Chief Minister said the state administration was closely monitoring the situation.

Investigation Under Way

Police have initiated a formal spot inspection and panchnama to determine the exact sequence of events. 'We have initiated a formal spot inspection and panchnama to ascertain the exact sequence of events, including whether safety rules regarding passenger limits were flouted,' police sources said. A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing. This incident adds to a pattern of fatal crashes on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, a corridor that has seen repeated calls for enhanced safety infrastructure and stricter enforcement of vehicle overloading norms.