MUMBAI: The city witnessed twin accidents on Diwali in which nine people were killed on Sunday. In the first accident, five residents of Thane were killed and one was seriously injured when a luxury bus rammed into their car on the Mumbai-Goa highway around 3.45am.
Police said the driver of the speeding bus was later arrested.
The five were on their way to a temple in Pali to celebrate the festival of lights. Neighbours at Vartak Nagar brought down their lanterns and decorative lights on hearing about the deaths.
In the second, four railway staffers working on tracks were mowed down by the Koyna Express near Kalyan before 10am. Many gangmen and railway union workers demanded action against the driver, who apparently did not inform Kalyan station officials about the mishap.
Asangaon resident Madhukar Gabhale said his father Harinana Gabhale (58), who died in the mishap, had told him to buy crackers to celebrate the festival with his two children on Saturday night, but morning brought them a “black Diwali”.