Raigad (Maharashtra), May 28 (IANS): At least 23 people on their way back from a wedding were killed and 10 injured when a speeding tempo hit two stationary mini-buses on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway early Monday, officials said.

The accident occurred near Khalapur, around 80 km from Mumbai.

According to the Raigad police control room, the accident occurred shortly after midnight when one of the mini-buses developed a technical problem. Both the buses stopped to rectify the problem when the loaded tempo hit them. Many of the occupants, who were sleeping, were killed instantly. The tempo also mowed down others who were waiting for a relief bus.

The buses, carrying members of a marriage party from Ghatkopar suburb of northeast Mumbai, were returning to Pune when the gruesome accident occurred, an official said.

Ten injured passengers have been rushed to hospitals in Mumbai, Thane and Pune.

One of the bus drivers told mediapersons that the victims were taken completely unawares by the speeding tempo and a majority of them were killed instantaneously.