Garhwal Post Bureau
TEHRI, 23 Apr: At least eight people were killed while two others were rescued after a vehicle met with a tragic accident on the Chamba–Koti road in Tehri district today, officials have reported. The mishap occurred near Nail in the Chamba area when a Bolero Camper bearing registration number UK 09 TA 1799 went out of control and plunged into a deep gorge while returning from Haridwar.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief over the deaths in the accident.
According to initial information made available, the occupants of the vehicle were residents of Chanji, Thela and Chakreda villages in Ghansali who had travelled to Haridwar to attend a funeral and were on their way back when the accident took place. Reports suggest that around ten people were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Eight persons died on the spot, while two injured individuals were rescued by emergency teams.
District Disaster Management Officer, Tehri, Brijesh Bhatt confirmed the deaths, stating that the vehicle fell into a deep gorge near Nail on the Chamba–Koti Colony Road. The accident triggered immediate rescue operations, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), health department and local police rushing to the site to carry out relief and rescue efforts.
SSP, Tehri, Shweta Chaubey confirmed that all the victims had attended a funeral in Haridwar and were returning to their villages when the mishap occurred. She added that the son of the deceased person, whose last rites were performed in Haridwar, is also believed to be among those who lost their lives in the accident.
The tragic incident drew a large crowd at the accident site as the locals gathered while rescue operations were underway. Meanwhile, a pall of gloom has descended over the victims’ native villages, where grieving families were inconsolable upon receiving the news of the tragedy.
In a social media post, CM Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls, urging strength for the families to bear the irreparable loss.
The CM has directed the district administration to ensure prompt and adequate medical treatment for the injured and to leave no gaps in the ongoing relief and rescue operations. He also instructed the officials to maintain continuous monitoring of the situation. He further wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap.
Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) has also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. He prayed for peace for the departed souls and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident that occurred on the Chamba–Koti Colony route in Tehri district today. The minister described the incident as extremely painful and heart-rending and he extended his condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time.
In a statement issued today, Uniyal said that his thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their loved ones and with the families enduring this unbearable grief. He informed that he had spoken to district administration officials and concerned authorities over the phone to review the relief and rescue operations. He confirmed that teams from the district administration and the National Disaster Response Force are actively engaged at the site, and the injured are being taken to the district hospital for treatment.
He further prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the grieving families to bear the irreparable loss. The minister emphasised that all possible assistance is being extended to those affected by the accident.
