5 Killed, 35 Injured In Bus-Tractor Crash on Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Cops

At least five pilgrims were killed and 35 injured early Tuesday after a private bus collided with a tractor, police said. The bus was traveling from Dombivli to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations

The accident occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala as the bus, carrying 54 pilgrims, sped toward Pandharpur. Around 1 a.m., the bus crashed into a tractor and plunged into a 35-40 feet deep ditch, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vivek Pansare told reporters.

Five pilgrims lost their lives, and 35 others were injured, some seriously. The injured have been rushed to hospitals in Panvel and Lonavala.

Among the identified victims are Hosabai Patil, Ramdas N. Mukadam, and Gurunath Patil. Two other deceased individuals have yet to be identified.

Upon learning of the crash, highway and local police teams rushed to the site. The damaged bus was hauled up by a crane, and the injured were transported to hospitals.

Authorities are investigating how a slow-moving vehicle like a tractor, which is banned on such highways, was on the busy Mumbai-Pune Expressway.