Chhatrapati Sambhaijnagar, Oct 15 (UNI) In yet another gruesome accident on Maharashtra’s high-speed Samruddhi Expressway, 12 devotees of Sailani Baba were killed and 18 others injured when a tempo carrying them hit a stationary truck in Chhatrapati Sambhaijnagar district, official sources said on Sunday.
The accident happened near the Jambargaon toll booth in Vaijapur taluka, about 80 kms from this city, late Saturday night.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknaht Shinde has announced Rs five lakh assistance for the nearest kin of the deceased and ordered a probe.
According to the reports reaching here, all the deceased including six women and a four-month-old child, perished on the spot. The injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The devotees, going for a glimpse of Sailani Baba, were residents of Pathardi and Indiranagar in Nashik district.
The rescue operation has been underway since late Saturday night.
Expressing condolence over the tragedy, Shinde announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the nearest kin of each of the deceased and directed the administration to provide proper treatment to the injured at government’s expense.
The Chief Minister has also ordered a probe into the exact cause of the accident and punishment of those found responsible.
According to reports, 46 fatal accidents have happened on the Samriddhi Expressway since last December.
