A devastating road accident on Italy’s Aurelia Highway near Grosseto has claimed the lives of prominent Nagpur hotelier Javed Akhtar and his wife Nadira Gulshan, transforming what should have been a memorable family vacation into an unimaginable tragedy. The incident occurred on Thursday morning as the family of five was traveling in a tourist minibus during the final leg of their European getaway. The Italian highway tragedy has left three children critically injured and fighting for their lives in various hospitals across Tuscany, while the Indian Embassy in Rome coordinates emergency assistance for the grieving family.
Key Highlights
- Nagpur-based hotelier Javed Akhtar (55) and wife Nadira Gulshan (47) died instantly in a multi-vehicle collision on Italy’s Aurelia Highway near Grosseto
- Three children remain hospitalized with critical injuries across Siena, Florence, and Grosseto medical facilities
- The Indian Embassy in Italy is providing emergency assistance while coordinating repatriation efforts with Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office
Fatal Collision Details and Emergency Response
The Italian highway tragedy unfolded at approximately 9:00 AM local time when a broken-down van being pushed roadside was struck by a truck, causing a catastrophic chain reaction collision with the family’s nine-seater tourist minibus. Javed Akhtar, Nadira Gulshan, and the minibus driver died instantly at the scene, with their vehicle reduced to twisted metal from the devastating impact. The accident occurred on the Aurelia state road as the family was en route to their final Tuscan sightseeing destination, marking a tragic end to what began as a joyful European vacation starting from France on September 22.
Emergency response teams faced significant challenges reaching the accident site, with local reports suggesting that help arrived late for the victims involved in this Italian highway tragedy. Two fire department teams were eventually deployed to extract the injured from their wrecked vehicles, while rescue helicopters were utilized to transport the critically wounded to specialized medical facilities across the region. The severity of the collision required immediate medical intervention, with the three surviving children distributed among different hospitals based on their specific injuries and treatment needs.
The Embassy conveys its heartfelt and sincere condolences for the tragic loss of two Indian nationals from Nagpur in an accident near Grosseto.
— India in Italy (@IndiainItaly) October 3, 2025
Our prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured family members who are undergoing treatment. The Embassy is in contact with the…
Victims’ Background and Business Legacy
Javed Akhtar, 55, was a renowned hospitality entrepreneur and owner of the prestigious Gulshan Plaza hotel located near Sitabuldi flyover in Nagpur, Maharashtra. His wife Nadira Gulshan, 47, partnered with him in building their successful hotel business, which had become a well-established fixture in Nagpur’s hospitality sector. The couple’s entrepreneurial success enabled them to provide their three children with quality education and international travel experiences, including this tragic final European vacation.
The family had been traveling together with their children – eldest daughter Arzoo (21-25 years, sources vary), son Jazel (15 years), and daughter Shifa (21 years) – when the Italian highway tragedy struck their minibus. Their hotel business, Gulshan Plaza, represents not just a commercial enterprise but a family legacy that now faces an uncertain future following this devastating loss. The Akhtar family’s prominence in Nagpur’s business community has made this Italian highway tragedy particularly shocking for their local associates and the broader hospitality industry.
Current Medical Status and Recovery Efforts
Arzoo Akhtar, the eldest daughter, suffered severe head injuries in the Italian highway tragedy and remains in critical condition at Le Scotte Hospital in Siena, where she has undergone emergency surgery and remains unconscious. Her younger siblings, Jazel and Shifa, are recovering at separate medical facilities in Grosseto and Florence respectively, receiving specialized treatment for their injuries sustained during the devastating collision. The distribution of the children across multiple hospitals reflects the severity of their conditions and the need for specialized medical care following this Italian highway tragedy.
Jazel Akhtar demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by dialing the local emergency helpline number after regaining consciousness at the accident scene, alerting authorities to their desperate situation. The young survivor’s quick thinking potentially saved lives by ensuring emergency services could locate and respond to the Italian highway tragedy, though response times remained a concern according to local media reports. Medical teams continue monitoring all three children’s progress, with their recovery representing the family’s only hope for healing after this devastating loss.
Official Response and Diplomatic Assistance
The Indian Embassy in Rome has taken immediate action following the Italian highway tragedy, issuing a formal statement expressing heartfelt condolences and confirming their active coordination with local Italian authorities. Embassy officials are maintaining direct contact with the surviving family members and their relatives in India, ensuring comprehensive support during this unprecedented crisis. The diplomatic mission is facilitating all necessary paperwork and legal formalities required for repatriating the deceased victims of this Italian highway tragedy.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has personally intervened to support the family, coordinating directly with the Indian Embassy in Rome to expedite repatriation procedures for Javed and Nadira’s remains. Nagpur District Collector Vipin Itankar has also communicated urgently with embassy officials to navigate complex legal formalities and ensure proper care for the injured children. The multi-level governmental response demonstrates the significance of this Italian highway tragedy and the commitment to supporting the affected family during their most difficult time.
Closing Assessment
This Italian highway tragedy represents more than just another road accident statistic – it embodies the devastating personal cost when vacation dreams turn into unimaginable nightmares. The Akhtar family’s story serves as a sobering reminder of road safety vulnerabilities that continue plaguing Italy’s highway system, where 3,030 people died in traffic accidents during 2024 alone. While the three surviving children fight for recovery in Italian hospitals, their parents’ sudden death creates an irreplaceable void that will forever change their family’s trajectory. The comprehensive response from Indian diplomatic channels and Maharashtra state officials demonstrates the solidarity extended to families facing such tragedies abroad, though no amount of assistance can truly heal the wounds left by this devastating Italian highway tragedy.
