Drass: A tragic road accident in the early hours of Sunday claimed two lives and left three others seriously injured after an Xylo SUV veered off the road and plunged into a gorge near Shaitan Nala Mod, close to Gumri in the Drass region of Ladakh.
The mishap occurred around 3:30 AM when the vehicle, bearing registration number JK02BC-5894, was traveling from Sonmarg to Kargil. According to local authorities, the SUV lost control and tumbled nearly 400 feet down into the river below.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched with the assistance of both police and army personnel stationed nearby. The survivors, including the driver, were retrieved from the river and rushed to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Drass for emergency medical care. All five occupants of the vehicle have been identified as non-residents of the region.
Police have identified the driver as Rahul Kumar and cited excessive speed as the likely cause of the accident. A case has been filed under FIR No. 58/2025, citing sections 281 and 225(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have urged travelers to exercise greater caution while navigating the treacherous mountain roads, especially in high-altitude zones prone to sharp turns and steep drops.
The deceased individuals’ identities have not been released pending notification of their families. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
