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At least 17 workers were killed and three injured in a crane collapse during the construction of the Samruddhi Expressway in Thane district, Maharashtra. The crane, a special-purpose mobile gantry crane, collapsed on a bridge slab near Sarlambe village. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the accident and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Rescue operations are ongoing to search for more individuals trapped under the debris. The Samruddhi Expressway project aims to connect Mumbai and Nagpur, but the tragedy has cast a shadow over the project. Ankita Singh reported
Tragedy Strikes as Crane Collapse Claims Lives of 17 Workers on Samruddhi Expressway
In a devastating accident during the construction of the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway, at least 17 workers lost their lives and three others were injured when a crane collapsed on a bridge slab near Sarlambe village in Thane district. The incident occurred around 12 am on Tuesday.
The equipment involved in the collapse was identified as a special-purpose mobile gantry crane, commonly used in bridge construction and the installation of precast box girders in highway projects, according to officials.
Following the tragic incident, an inquiry has been ordered into the Shahapur accident by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased workers and his prayers for the swift recovery of the injured workers, who are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with teams from the police, fire brigade, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to the accident site. The injured workers were rushed to the hospital for medical care. Efforts are ongoing to search for any other individuals who may be trapped under the debris.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km-long expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur, has been marred by this unforeseen tragedy. The project, aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic development, is now overshadowed by the loss of these workers. Authorities are stressing the need for a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a separate tragedy, a private travel bus carrying 33 passengers from Nagpur to Pune caught fire after colliding with a divider near Sindkhedraja in Buldhana district, Maharashtra. The accident resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including three children, while the remaining eight passengers sustained injuries. Preliminary investigations indicate that a burst tire may have triggered the accident, causing the bus to collide with a pole and catch fire.
Authorities are conducting further investigations to establish the precise sequence of events that led to this horrific incident. The news of this devastating accident has sent shockwaves through the region, leaving families and communities in deep mourning. The identities of the victims are being verified, and authorities are working diligently to inform their families and provide necessary support during this difficult time. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased in response to the incident..
