Seven people lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district early Thursday morning. The SUV they were travelling in plunged into a 500-metre deep gorge near Chhatrund on the Masroond-Hamal road in the Churah subdivision.
Victims Returning from Religious Ceremony
The victims were residents of Mahal village under Kuthed gram panchayat. They were returning home after attending a religious ceremony and community feast at the nearby Kakrotha village. According to The Tribune India, the group included three brothers among the deceased.
Identities of the Deceased
The deceased have been identified as Chunni Lal (65), Devi Lal (62), Moti Ram (53), Babli Devi (45), Kunta Devi (53), and Anita Kumari (20) — all residents of Mahal village. The driver of the SUV, Manohar Lal (34), was from Jhulara village.
How the Accident Happened
According to preliminary reports, the SUV went out of the driver's control near Chhatrund and rolled down a steep gorge. The impact of the crash was so severe that the vehicle was completely mangled. As per The Tribune India, all seven occupants suffered fatal injuries. Six died on the spot, while one succumbed during rescue efforts.
Reports from ThePrint and PTC News confirmed that the victims were returning home after attending a function at another village.
Our Take: A Reminder of Mountain Road Dangers
This tragedy is a stark reminder of how dangerous mountain roads can be, especially in the early hours. A 500-metre gorge leaves almost no chance of survival. While the exact cause of the driver losing control is still under investigation, this incident highlights the need for better safety measures on such treacherous routes. Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones in this devastating accident.