Tragic Pune Accident Claims Lives of 10 Women Devotees, Injures 27 Others
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via the PMO’s X account, announcing an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
PUNE- A devastating accident in Pune’s Khed taluka claimed the lives of ten women and left 27 others injured on Monday, August 11, when a pick-up van carrying devotees to the Shree Kshetra Kundeshwar Mahadev Temple plunged into a 25-30 foot gorge. The victims, all residents of Papalwadi village, were traveling to mark the auspicious third Shravan Somwar, a significant day in the Hindu calendar.
According to police reports, the pick-up van, carrying around 40 passengers—mostly women and children—lost control on a steep, narrow hill road near Pait village around 1:00 PM. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver, Rushikesh Karande, failed to navigate a sharp incline, possibly due to overloading, causing the vehicle to roll back and overturn multiple times before falling into the gorge. The driver survived but sustained injuries and is receiving treatment, with his condition reported as stable.
The injured, including women and children, were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition. Local residents and devotees in the area quickly responded, aiding rescue efforts alongside police and district administration teams.
Approximately ten ambulances were deployed to transport the injured to government and private hospitals in Rajgurunagar and surrounding areas. Senior police inspector Digambar Suryawanshi of Mhalunge MIDC police station stated that a case of accidental death has been registered, and further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, including potential overloading or driver negligence.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via the PMO’s X account, announcing an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also mourned the tragedy, announcing ₹4 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the guardian minister of Pune, directed authorities to provide free medical assistance to the injured and assured support to the victims’ families.
The accident has cast a shadow over the Shravan festivities, with the Kundeshwar Temple, a revered pilgrimage site, witnessing an outpouring of grief. MLA Babaji Kale of the Khed Alandi constituency visited the accident site, and local communities continue to support the affected families.Police are urging stricter adherence to vehicle safety regulations, especially on challenging terrains like the hilly roads leading to the temple, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
