Mumbai/Pune, Nov 13 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday paid a solemn tribute to the victims of the tragic accident in Pune, which resulted in the loss of at least eight lives and left over 20 injured near the Navale Bridge on the Pune-Bengaluru highway. This catastrophic event occurred when two containers collided, igniting a fire and leading to a speeding container crashing into multiple vehicles.

The Chief Minister has announced a financial support of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who perished in this accident.

In a heartfelt message posted on X, he expressed: “The loss of lives in the accident at the new bridge in Pune is profoundly tragic and heart-wrenching. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees will be provided to the families of the deceased.”

The Deputy Chief Minister and guardian minister for Pune, Ajit Pawar, described the incident as a devastating tragedy. He remarked on the deadly collision between the two containers and the subsequent fire, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

“It is heartbreaking to learn of the loss of lives in this accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, and I wish a swift recovery for the injured,” he stated.

Murlidhar Mohol, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, also shared his condolences on X, stating, “I pay my respects to the departed souls from the Nawale Bridge accident. This tragedy is deeply saddening. I express my condolences to the families and pray for their strength during this difficult time.”

NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar expressed concern that the Navale Bridge has become a notorious accident site, with numerous fatalities over time.

“Today’s bizarre accident has sadly claimed the lives of more than nine individuals. The heavy vehicle traffic on the Navale Bridge poses a significant danger. Despite frequent accidents, the administration has not implemented necessary safety measures. The government must address this issue seriously,” he commented.

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde also extended his condolences, stating, “I express my heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives in this horrific accident. I pray for a quick recovery for the injured.”

Preliminary reports indicate that the incident began when two trucks collided, trapping a car in between and igniting a fire. The victims have not been identified, and investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the crash.

A police officer at the scene reported that a loaded container truck traveling from Satara towards Mumbai may have suffered brake failure, leading to a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles.

“The truck collided with approximately seven to eight vehicles, resulting in a catastrophic crash between two large container trucks, with a car caught and crushed in the middle. The friction and damage caused the vehicles to ignite,” he elaborated.

He added, “Initial investigations suggest that speeding and potential mechanical failure may have contributed to this tragic event.”