11 killed in head-on collision between cement mixer and Eeco van near Kalyan

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Apr 13, 2026: At least 11 people were killed in a tragic head-on collision between a cement mixer and an Eeco van in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Monday.

The accident occurred between 11:00 am and 11:30 am near Raita village on National Highway 61, which connects Kalyan in Thane district to Ahilyanagar. The Eeco van (MH-05 GA-0529), carrying residents from Murbad to Kalyan, collided with an Ashok Leyland cement mixer (MH-12 TV-3660) coming from the opposite direction while crossing the Panjar bridge.

The impact was severe, completely mangling the van and leaving the passengers with no chance of escape. Eleven people died on the spot, while one person sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident, calling it extremely tragic and offering condolences to the families of the victims. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also conveyed his condolences, stating that the incident has spread grief across the state.

Nine of the deceased have been identified as Prashant alias Bablu Rupesh Chandane, Bhushan Ghorpade, Jija Govinda Kembari, Ananta Pawar, Deepak Gavli, Ganpat Jainu Madhe, Sneha Mohpe, Mansi Mohpe, and Prathamesh Mohpe.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the van was carrying 11 passengers despite having an authorised capacity of six (5+1), raising concerns over overloading. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.

Authorities said the state’s Motor Transport Department has been taking strict action against illegal passenger transport, while also urging citizens to avoid travelling in overcrowded vehicles and prioritise safety.

Local villagers rushed to the spot immediately after the crash and alerted the police. Confirming the toll, Police Inspector Anil Lad said 11 people have died in the accident.

The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined, with officials probing whether negligence or over-speeding led to the tragedy.