Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Tourists in Kullu District

Fatal Incident on National Highway-305

Munish Sood
Mandi

On Saturday evening, a devastating accident on National Highway-305 near Jalori Pass resulted in the deaths of four tourists and left 19 others injured, with four in critical condition.

Initial reports indicate that a vehicle carrying 23 tourists, reportedly from Delhi, was returning from a sightseeing trip to Jalori when it lost control near Sojha, at a site known locally as Bharegha Ri Jaan. The vehicle veered off the road and fell into a steep gorge.

The incident occurred around 8 PM, with four individuals pronounced dead at the scene, while many others suffered serious injuries. Rescue teams successfully evacuated 12 injured passengers initially, and efforts continued late into the night to locate and assist the remaining victims.

Banjar MLA Surender Shourie confirmed the fatalities and noted that all injured individuals were first taken to the Civil Hospital in Banjar for urgent medical care. Those with severe injuries were subsequently transferred to the Regional Hospital in Kullu for further treatment.

Tehsildar Banjar, Neeraj Sharma, verified that 23 people, including the driver, were involved in the accident. He emphasized that three deaths had been reported and that the local administration was conducting the rescue operation with urgency.

The injured have been identified as Anupama, Kriyan Karan, Fiza, Ayushi, Liyakar, Anurag, Arnav, Mohit Shashi, Mohit Amit, Nikita, Deenu, Alsi, and Dipali, among others. They are currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital Banjar, while additional rescued passengers are being brought in for medical assistance.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the accident's cause, while rescue and relief efforts continued throughout the night.