Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal/Barwani

Bhopal/Barwani, Apr 21: What began as a joyous wedding celebration ended in tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district, where a devastating road accident claimed five lives and left three others seriously injured.

The incident took place near a toll plaza on Khargone Road in Julwaniya on Monday afternoon. A speeding tanker reportedly lost control and crashed head-on into a car carrying passengers returning from a wedding procession, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

Police said the victims had travelled from Jalgaon near Rajpur to attend the ceremony. While returning, their car reportedly ran out of fuel, forcing them to stop and refuel before resuming their journey. Shortly afterward, the tanker—approaching from the direction of Khargone—collided with their vehicle with immense force.

Three occupants died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries at a primary health centre in Julwaniya. A fifth victim later died during treatment at a private hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Sachin Gokul Vaskale (25) from Patelpura Sakad village; Pradumya (25), son of Gulichand Sahate from Salkheda; Pappu (29), son of Hiralal from Limbai; Akash (25), son of Dayaram from Ralamandal in Indore; and Yashwant Supadia from Jalgaon.

Two of the injured—Suresh Mangilal from Devjhiri and Sohan Jhabar from Salkheda—are undergoing treatment, while another victim is reported to be in critical condition.

Rescue efforts were challenging, with victims trapped in the wreckage for over an hour before being pulled out. Emergency teams and local authorities rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the role of the tanker driver, examining whether the crash was caused by negligence or a mechanical fault.

The incident has cast a deep shadow of grief over the victims’ villages, turning a moment of celebration into mourning. It has also reignited concerns about road safety and reckless driving on highways in the region, especially involving heavy vehicles.