Seven killed, six injured as SUV falls into gorge in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Seven persons were killed and six others were injured when an overloaded SUV fell into a 250 metres deep gorge near Dalash in Ani area of Kullu district on Monday.

Rescue operations are in full swing and bodies of six out of seven persons have been recovered and brought to roadside while four seriously injured persons have been referred to IGMC hospital in Shimla. Two injured children were admitted to a local health centre, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar told PTI.

The cause of the accident could not be ascertained but eye-witnesses said that, probably the driver of Mahindra Bolero SUV lost control over the vehicle while negotiating the sharp curve.

The deceased were identified as Ram Chander, Geeta Ram, Sanjay Kumar, Bir Singh , Lokender, Shiela Devi and Reena Devi, all hailing from nearby villages.

The Governor Acharya Dev Vrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed shock and grief over the accident and conveyed their condolences to bereaved families.

The Chief Minister directed the district administration to provide immediate relief to the next of the kin of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Rakesh Kanwar informed that a sum of Rs 25,000 has been provided as an immediate relief to the next of the kin of each deceased and Rs 10,000 to the injured.

He said that the remaining amount would be disbursed as per the relief manual.

PTI