Nagpur, Oct 4 : Prominent city hotelier Javed Akhtar (57), proprietor of Gulshan Plaza at Sitabuldi, and his wife Nadira lost their lives in a road accident near Grosseto in Tuscany, Italy. Their three children Arzoo, Zezel and Shifa sustained critical injuries. 

The family, who had embarked on a Europe tour covering France and Italy since September 22, met with the fatal accident while travelling in a nine-seater tourist mini-bus along with other Asian passengers. 

The incident occurred around 9 am on Thursday on the Aurelia state highway when a stationary van being pushed aside was struck by a truck, which in turn rammed into the mini-bus. The impact claimed the lives of Javed, Nadira, and the bus driver on the spot, leaving the vehicle mangled. 

Arzoo (25) is reported to be in a critical condition with severe head trauma at Le Scotte Hospital in Siena. Shifa (21) and Zezel (15) are under medical care in hospitals at Florence and Grosseto, according to Italian media. 
“The Embassy conveys its deepest condolences for the tragic demise of two Indian nationals from Nagpur in the accident near Grosseto,” the Indian Embassy in Italy said in a message on X. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken prompt steps to assist the bereaved family, liaising with the Indian Embassy in Rome to expedite the repatriation of the mortal remains and ensure medical support for the injured children.

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