One woman died and 21 people were injured after a container hit as many as 22 vehicles at Khalapur on the Pune–Mumbai Express Highway on Saturday afternoon.

Police have identified the deceased as Anita Ekhande (58), a resident of Dharashiv district.

Police have detained container driver Rajeshkumar Patel, an original resident of Uttar Pradesh. An FIR has been registered against him at Khopoli police station in Raigad district.

Story continues below this ad

Police said a container on way to Mumbai lost control after its brakes failed near the new tunnel in Khopoli and collided with multiple vehicles on its way.

On receiving information, teams of Raigad police and the highway safety patrol rushed to the spot. The victims were taken to hospitals. A prima facie probe by the police revealed that 22 vehicles were damaged in the mishap.

Watch: Woman dead, 21 injured as container hits 22 vehicles on Pune–Mumbai e-way Police said a container on way to Mumbai lost control after its brakes failed near the new tunnel in Khopoli and collided with multiple vehicles on its way. pic.twitter.com/dQm8bYj7nQ — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 26, 2025

Inspector Sachin Hire of Khopoli police station said Anita Ekhande, who was going towards Mumbai with her family in an SUV hit by the container was pronounced dead at the hospital. “The condition of 21 persons is stable,” he said.

Hire also said they have detained the container driver and a breath-analyser test on him revealed he was not driving under the influence of alcohol. “We suspect that failure of brakes of the container caused the mishap. Further investigation is on,” said Hire.