PUNE, India — A catastrophic accident on a major highway has left eight people dead and many others injured after a truck lost control and collided with multiple vehicles. The tragic chain reaction occurred late Thursday evening on the Pune-Bengaluru highway, where the truck struck at least 13 cars around 5:45 p.m. local time.
Authorities report that a passenger car was crushed between the runaway truck and another vehicle before erupting into flames. Among those who perished were five individuals from the car, including a 3-year-old girl, and the driver and helper of the truck involved in the incident.
Local police indicated that the truck’s brakes failed while navigating a steep gradient, leading to the deadly crash. The impact was so severe that it resulted in a fiery explosion, complicating rescue efforts. Police Deputy Commissioner Sambhaji Kadam detailed the scene, noting the total number of injured had exceeded 20, and those victims were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Images from the scene show the charred wreckage of the car, with fire department officials working to extinguish the flames. Local fire chief Devendra Potphode explained that the heat from the fire was exacerbated by the combustion of compressed natural gas, diesel, and petrol from the affected vehicles. Fire crews were dispatched quickly, arriving within minutes, but faced a challenging operation due to the intensity of the flames.
Rescue operations intensified as firefighters battled the blaze while simultaneously trying to extract the victims trapped within the burnt car. The conditions were described as harrowing, with the bodies suffering extensive damage, making the recovery effort particularly difficult.
Statements from local officials reflect the community’s anguish over the disaster. Pune’s police commissioner expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and confirmed that police presence will continue as authorities provide support during this challenging time. Local law enforcement has also received messages of sympathy from citizens mourning the lives lost in this tragic event.
As investigations continue, the incident has sparked a renewed conversation about road safety, particularly for trucks on steep inclines. Local officials are expected to review safety protocols to prevent such a tragedy from recurring in the future.