A catastrophic pile-up involving nearly 20 vehicles, including high-end luxury cars, brought the bustling Mumbai-Pune Expressway to a standstill on Saturday afternoon. The horrific accident, caused by a suspected brake failure in a speeding container trailer truck, occurred near the Adoshi tunnel in the Raigad district, under Khopoli police station limits.
According to initial police reports, the container truck lost control while descending from the Lonavala-Khandala ghat section and crashed into multiple vehicles around 2:30 PM. The impact was so severe that a chain-reaction collision ensued, affecting at least 18-20 vehicles, including several premium models like BMWs and Mercedes-Benz cars.
Tragically, a woman lost her life in the incident. Eighteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries, with several reported to be in serious condition. All the injured victims were swiftly transported to a private hospital in Navi Mumbai for urgent medical attention.
🚨 Major accident on Mumbai – Pune expressway this afternoon! Almost 15-20 vehicles crashed 🙏
Travel safely in the ghats!! https://t.co/MUHjgUUg4k pic.twitter.com/gYp6lcFkxS— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) July 26, 2025
The driver of the container truck, who has been taken into custody by the Khopoli police, reportedly underwent a medical examination. Authorities confirmed that he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Police officials have registered a case, and a detailed investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the mishap and assess any mechanical lapses.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as vehicles collided in quick succession, with some cars being completely crushed under the weight and momentum of the heavy trailer. Emergency response teams, including ambulances, fire services, and traffic police, rushed to the spot to help rescue trapped passengers and clear the severely mangled vehicles from the expressway.
The accident occurred near Datta Food Mall, just after the descent from the popular hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala — a segment of the expressway known for its steep gradient and heavy vehicular load. This section often becomes treacherous for large vehicles, especially during monsoon months when road conditions worsen.
Due to the sheer scale of the crash, traffic on the expressway was severely affected. Vehicles were stranded for nearly five kilometers as authorities attempted to manage the situation and reroute the flow of traffic. Long queues of cars and trucks were seen stretching across multiple lanes, causing significant delays for commuters traveling between Mumbai and Pune.
Traffic police eventually diverted vehicles to alternate routes in an effort to ease congestion and allow emergency services to operate efficiently. By late evening, efforts were still underway to completely clear the wreckage and reopen the affected stretch of the highway.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, one of India’s busiest highways, witnesses a daily traffic volume ranging between 1.5 to 2 lakh vehicles. Accidents, while not uncommon, rarely occur at this scale. The expressway is a vital link between Maharashtra’s two largest cities and a key corridor for both personal and commercial transport.
In the aftermath of the accident, road safety experts have once again raised concerns about vehicle maintenance, especially for heavy commercial vehicles navigating steep terrains. Calls for stricter enforcement of fitness certificates and brake system checks have resurfaced, with many pointing out that preventive maintenance could save lives.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution while driving through hilly sections and to avoid speeding, particularly during weekends when expressway traffic volume tends to peak. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased and injured await justice and answers as the investigation progresses.
