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A tragic accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district resulted in the deaths of seven people after an SUV went off the road and crashed into a gorge nearly 500 metres deep, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place near Chhatrund along the Masrund-Hamal road during the night. Passers-by noticed the wrecked vehicle in the gorge the next morning and alerted the authorities.
Emergency teams undertook a difficult recovery mission in the hilly terrain.
Rescuers climbed down steep slopes and used narrow mountain tracks to retrieve the bodies from the accident site.
Residents of nearby villages assisted in the operation before government officials arrived. Locals said the severely damaged vehicle made the recovery process even more challenging.
Police suspect that the driver lost control of the SUV, causing it to leave the roadway and tumble into the ravine.
The occupants were travelling back to Mahal village after attending a traditional ‘mundan’ ceremony in Kakadotha village.
Both villages are located within the Kuthed gram panchayat area of Chamba district.
People living in the area described the stretch as vulnerable to accidents because of its sharp bends, narrow carriageway, and steep mountainside terrain.
Several residents also expressed concern over the lack of crash barriers at the location. They argued that proper safety measures could have helped prevent such a tragedy.
Chamba’s remote geography and limited public transport options often create transportation difficulties for residents.
Investigators have registered a case and started examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police said they will conduct a detailed inquiry to establish the exact cause of the accident.
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