The mishap took place at around 5.30 am, said Navi Mumbai police. (PTI photo)

Highlights A private tourist bus rammed into two cars at around 5.30 AM this morning

All three vehicles fell into a 20-foot deep ditch killing 17, injuring 30

The accident occurred near Panvel on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway

Seventeen people were killed and around 30 others were injured near Panvel on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway this morning as three vehicles -- two cars and a bus -- fell into a ditch after the bus rammed one of the cars.



The mishap took place at around 5.30 am, said Navi Mumbai police.



According to the police, a car was standing on the road as it had a flat tyre, and MUV, standing was behind it.

17 people were killed and around 30 others were injured near Panvel on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. (PTI photo)

Passengers in the MUV had stopped to help those in the first car.While the two vehicles had halted, a private tourist bus came from behind and rammed the MUV, which in turn rammed into the car. The three vehicles plunged into a 20ft deep road-side ditch.All the three vehicles were coming from Pune.