Maharashtra: 18 killed, 15 hurt on Dhule-Chalisgaon highway

At least 18 passengers were killed and 15 others got injured when a Maharashtra Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus and a container collided head-on on with a container truck the Dhule-Chalisgaon highway around 2.30pm on Thursday.

While the MSRTC bus was travelling from Aurangabad to Surat, the container was travelling on the opposite direction. The container, in an attempt to save a two-wheeler, collided with the bus.

According to the police, the accident occurred near Dahivad Chinchgavhan phata, in Jalgaon district. The impact of the collision was such that the bus was torn apart from its posterior, causing fatal injuries to the passengers.

While eighteen people died on the spot 15 others were seriously injured. The driver of the container was among those who died.

While some of the injured have been admitted to Dhule civil hospital, others were taken to the rural hospital in Chalisgon.

The police have filed a case and are investigating the case further.

Accidents have been common on this stretch of the road and people say it is due to the absence of a divider on the highway. On earlier occasions, villagers of the area demanded a divider and speed breakers on the road.