Mumbai, June 7: At least 10 pilgrims returning from a pilgrimage in Madhya Pradesh were killed in a road accident on the Mumbai-Agra national highway in Maharashtra's Nashik on Thursday, police said.

The pilgrims were travelling from Ujjain to Ulhasnagar in Thane when the accident occurred near Chandwad around 7.15 a.m., Inspector A.R. Mohite said.

"The front tyre of the minibus carrying the pilgrims party suddenly burst leading the driver to lose control. The vehicle then rammed from behind into a stationary sand-truck by the road," Mohite told IANS.

While 10 pilgrims succumbed on the spot, another 12 were injured, including five whose condition is critical, he added.

The injured have been rushed to the Chandwad Civil Hospital and their relatives who are mostly in Kalyan and Ulhasnagar in Thane have been informed.

The identity of the deceased and other details were being verified, Mohite added.



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Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.

In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.

The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.

The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.

KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.

The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.

The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.