6 people, including 5 Gujarat tourists, killed in road accident in Himachal's Chamba

Six people were killed and four others seriously injured after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near Kakira in Chowari subdivision of Chamba district during the early hours of Monday. The victims include five tourists from Gujarat and driver of the vehicle.

According to police, the accident occurred between 3 am and 4 am on the Lahru-Dalhousie Road amid heavy rain and strong winds.

The deceased have been identified as Lalit Bhai Phatnani his wife Mamta and Priyank Kanhaiya Lal his wife Kajal and son Diyansh. Driver Jaswant, a resident of Jogindernagar subdivision in Mandi is also among the dead.

Chamba Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said the victims were travelling from Dalhousie towards Manali when the driver allegedly lost control on a narrow stretch near Kakira, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and roll into the gorge.

He said police teams, along with local residents, immediately launched a rescue and relief operation after receiving information about the mishap. “Four injured were provided have been referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda,” he said. He said a case has been registered under relevant law and investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident is underway.