Nagpur/Italy: A Nagpur-based hotelier and his wife tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Italy on October 2, the final day of their family vacation, while their three children sustained injuries, one of them in critical condition, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The victims, identified as Javed Akhtar (57) and his wife Nadra, were travelling with their daughters Arzoo (22), Shifa (18), and son Jazel (15). The family was on a 10-day trip across Italy and France, according to relatives.
The accident occurred near Grosseto in Tuscany when the family’s 9-seater taxi collided with another vehicle. Javed and Nadra died on the spot, while Arzoo underwent surgery and remains unconscious in hospital. Shifa and Jazel sustained injuries but are stable, family members said.2
The Indian Embassy in Italy issued a statement expressing condolences and confirmed that it is providing assistance to the family and coordinating with local authorities. “The Embassy conveys its heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of two Indian nationals from Nagpur… We are in contact with the family and Italian authorities to provide all necessary support,” the statement read.
Relatives said the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is helping with formalities to bring the bodies back to India. The family owns the Gulshan Plaza Hotel in Nagpur, and the incident has left the local hotel fraternity in grief.
Nagpur collector Vipin Itankar said officials visited the family’s residence in Civil Lines and are coordinating with the embassy to expedite repatriation. Fellow hoteliers expressed their sorrow, with Vijay Chourasia, owner of Hotel Status near Gulshan Plaza, saying, “The incident has left the hotel community deeply pained.”
