Dense fog triggers 20-vehicle pile-up on Delhi–Mumbai Expressway; 4 dead, several injured

Tragedy struck the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway early Monday morning when the season’s first spell of dense fog triggered a deadly multi-vehicle collision involving nearly 20 vehicles. The accident occurred around 5:00 am and claimed the lives of four people, including two police personnel, while 15 to 20 others sustained serious injuries, officials said. Preliminary information suggests that the massive pile-up was caused by extremely low visibility due to thick fog blanketing the stretch of the expressway. The incident reportedly began with a collision between two overloaded dumper trucks. Moments later, a truck carrying guavas, which was approaching from behind, rammed into the already-crashed vehicles.

The situation deteriorated further when the guava-laden truck overturned, spilling large quantities of fruit across the carriageway. The scattered produce made the road surface slippery, and when combined with near-zero visibility, severely hampered the ability of oncoming vehicles to brake in time. This resulted in a chain-reaction crash, with successive vehicles ploughing into one another, ultimately involving around 20 to 25 vehicles in the pile-up, officials said.

Rescue efforts

Police, ambulances and emergency rescue teams were rushed to the site immediately after the accident. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased were taken into custody by the police and sent for post-mortem examinations. The accident caused traffic movement on the expressway to come to a complete standstill for several hours before authorities managed to clear the wreckage and restore vehicular flow.

Police urge caution

In the aftermath of the incident, police issued a strong advisory to motorists, urging them to exercise extra caution during foggy conditions. Drivers have been advised to reduce speed, maintain adequate distance from other vehicles, and avoid sudden braking in low-visibility situations. Authorities said further investigation is underway to ascertain additional factors that may have contributed to the accident.