Deadly 20-Vehicle Pile-Up on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Claims 4 Lives Amid Season's First Dense Fog

The devastating multi-vehicle accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was primarily caused by extremely poor visibility conditions.

A deadly incident unfolded early Monday morning on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway as the first dense fog of the season triggered a catastrophic collision involving approximately 20 vehicles. The accident, which occurred around 5:00 am, claimed the lives of four individuals, including two police officers, while leaving between 15 and 20 others with serious injuries.

The massive pile-up has been largely attributed to the dangerously limited visibility resulting from thick fog covering the area. According to preliminary reports, the chain reaction began when two overloaded dumper trucks collided. Shortly afterward, a truck carrying guavas approaching from behind crashed into these already damaged vehicles.

20-Car Pile-Up On Mumbai-Delhi Expressway Due To Dense Smog pic.twitter.com/crgbupnCTt

The situation deteriorated further when the guava-laden truck overturned, dispersing a substantial amount of fruit across the expressway. This created hazardous slippery conditions on the road surface, which, combined with the already poor visibility, made it nearly impossible for approaching vehicles to brake effectively. These circumstances triggered a continuous chain reaction that ultimately involved between 20 and 25 vehicles in the massive crash.

Police forces, ambulance services, and rescue teams were promptly dispatched to the accident site. Injured victims were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition. Authorities have taken custody of the deceased victims' bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination.

The accident completely halted traffic flow on the expressway, though authorities later managed to clear the route.

This incident occurs amid a series of fog-related road accidents reported throughout Haryana on Sunday. In Rohtak, a major collision took place in the Meham area where 35-40 vehicles, predominantly trucks, crashed into each other, resulting in multiple injuries. That particular accident happened at a highway intersection when a truck and car collided, initiating a chain reaction involving numerous other vehicles.

Similar incidents were reported from Hisar and Rewari regions. In Hisar, two state roadway buses collided with other vehicles at Dhiktana Moda on National Highway 52 around 8:00 am. The pile-up began after a Kaithal roadways bus crashed into a dumper truck. Another bus following behind subsequently collided with these vehicles, followed by a car and then a motorcycle joining the accumulating wreckage.

In Rewari, an accident occurred on National Highway 352 when approximately three to four buses violently collided due to poor visibility conditions. Those injured were promptly admitted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Driving in foggy conditions requires exceptional caution. Dense fog significantly reduces visibility, making it difficult to observe other vehicles and road conditions ahead. Reducing speed and maintaining appropriate distance between vehicles can help prevent accidents in such hazardous weather conditions.