An Indian hotelier from Nagpur and his wife were killed in a tragic road accident in Italy, while their three children sustained serious injuries. The victims have been identified as Javed Akhtar, 57, owner of Gulshan Plaza hotel in Nagpur, and his wife Nadira Gulshan.
The family was on a European vacation covering France and Italy and was travelling in a nine-seater minibus when the accident occurred near Grosseto in the Tuscany region. Reports suggest that a truck rammed into a broken-down van on the Aurelia Highway, triggering a chain reaction that led to the crash involving the family’s minibus.
The vehicle was badly damaged and both Javed and Nadira, along with the driver of the minibus, died on the spot. Their eldest daughter Arzoo suffered a serious head injury and is reported to be in critical condition at a hospital in Siena, while the younger children Shifa and Jazel are receiving treatment in Florence and Grosseto.
After regaining consciousness, Jazel reportedly managed to call emergency services for help. Rescue teams, including firefighters, arrived at the scene, and helicopters were deployed to transport the injured to hospitals, though some local reports alleged delays in the response.
The Indian Embassy in Italy confirmed the deaths and assured full support to the family, while Maharashtra state authorities are assisting with formalities for repatriation. Relatives have already reached Italy to be with the children. The news has left the hotel and business community in Nagpur in deep shock, as the couple was well known in hospitality circles.
The sudden accident has turned what was meant to be a family holiday into a devastating tragedy, leaving their community and loved ones mourning while their children continue to battle for recovery.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
