5 dead, including 16-year-old, after Maruti car plunges 700 meters into gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi

A severe accident occurred late Saturday night in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, when a Maruti car carrying five men plunged approximately 700 meters into a gorge near the Chauhar valley. The vehicle was returning to Dharmchan after attending a wedding ceremony in Barot, a popular destination in the region known for its picturesque landscapes.

The accident took place around midnight, a time when visibility is typically poor due to the lack of street lighting on many rural roads. Local residents discovered the wreckage early Sunday morning after a shepherd spotted the vehicle at the bottom of the gorge. He immediately alerted villagers, who then contacted the police at the Tikkan station.

Upon receiving the call, police officials quickly arrived at the scene, where they found the car severely mangled. The deceased have been identified as Rajesh, Gangu, Karn, Sagar, and Ajay, with ages ranging from 16 to 30 years. The local administration has indicated that the victims were well-known in their community. The bodies were retrieved from the accident site and transported to Jogindernagar Civil Hospital for postmortem examinations. Authorities are expected to complete these examinations shortly to facilitate the return of the remains to the families for last rites.

Mandi’s Superintendent of Police confirmed that a case has been filed, and investigations are underway to determine the factors contributing to the accident. Authorities are examining the road conditions, which include steep inclines and sharp curves, as well as the possibility of driver error and vehicle malfunction. Initial reports suggest that the car may have lost control while navigating a particularly hazardous section of the road.

This tragic event has sparked renewed discussions about road safety in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, where accidents are not uncommon due to challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. Local government officials have expressed their intention to conduct a review of road safety measures, including better signage, improved road maintenance, and enhanced public awareness campaigns aimed at educating drivers about the risks of nighttime travel in such regions.