In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the region, at least 8 people lost their lives in a major road accident in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The tragedy occurred on the treacherous Bairagarh Sach Pass Killar road, where a vehicle carrying tourists veered off the road and plunged into a gorge approximately 500 meters deep. The accident, which is believed to have taken place late Friday night, came to light only on Saturday evening, prompting an immediate but challenging rescue operation by the local authorities and residents.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to the information provided by the local administration, the ill-fated car had crossed the Bairagarh check post on Friday afternoon, heading towards the high-altitude Sach Pass. The vehicle was carrying a total of 8 individuals, 7 of whom are reported to be tourists. When the car failed to reach its destination or return by Saturday, concerned family members alerted the district administration, leading to a search operation along the mountainous route. The search led the police to the Kalaban area, where they spotted the wreckage of the car far below the road level.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
The rescue operation was initiated on Saturday evening as soon as the wreckage was spotted. However, the extreme depth of the gorge, which is estimated to be around 500 meters, combined with the fading light and adverse weather conditions, made it nearly impossible for the teams to reach the victims immediately. BJP MLA Hansraj confirmed that while the rescue teams managed to reach the site of the crash, they couldn't retrieve the bodies on Saturday night due to the perilous terrain. The operation was scheduled to resume early Sunday morning to bring the deceased back to the road level.
Investigation and Identification
Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that all 8 occupants of the car died on the spot due to the impact of the fall. As of now, the identities of the deceased have not been officially confirmed, and the police are working to establish their names and origins. The cause of the accident is also under investigation, with authorities looking into whether it was due to a technical failure, driver error, or the difficult road conditions prevalent in the high-altitude pass, while the administration has issued a stern advisory to travelers, urging them to avoid traveling on high-altitude mountain roads during bad weather or late at night to prevent such horrific tragedies.