Chamba: Six people, including five tourists from Gujarat, lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district during the early hours of Monday after their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge near Kakira in the Chowari subdivision.
The mishap took place on the Lahru-Dalhousie Road between 3 am and 4 am amid intense rainfall and gusty winds, according to police officials. Four other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed for medical treatment.
Police identified the deceased as Lalit Bhai Phatnani, his wife Mamta, Priyank Kanhaiya Lal, his wife Kajal, and their son Diyansh — all residents of Gujarat. The driver, Jaswant, who hailed from the Jogindernagar area of Mandi district, also died in the accident.
Officials said the group was travelling from Dalhousie to Manali when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a narrow stretch near Kakira. The vehicle then veered off the road and tumbled into the gorge.
Chamba Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said rescue teams, assisted by local residents, reached the spot soon after information about the accident was received. The injured passengers were initially given emergency assistance before being referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda for advanced treatment.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the accident. Authorities suspect poor weather conditions and the difficult mountain terrain may have contributed to the tragedy.
