In Maharashtra, at least 12 people were killed and 15 injured when a speeding mini-bus hit a container truck on Samruddhi Expressway in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district early this morning. The accident took place around 1 a.m. in the Vaijapur tehsil in the district. According to officials, the deceased included five men and six women, all of whom were relatives.<br />''  <br />'' President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over losing lives. In a social media post, the President said the news of several casualties in the tragic road accident deeply saddens her. The President also expressed her condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.<br />''  <br />'' In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that he was pained by the loss of lives in the accident. Mr. Modi announced an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund of two lakh rupees to the next of kin of each deceased and 50,000 rupees for those injured. He also wished speedy recovery for those who got injured in this accident.<br />''  <br />'' Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde has also announced financial assistance of Five Lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased in this accident. He has directed the administration to provide proper treatment to the injured at the State government's expense. The Chief Minister has also ordered an enquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.