8 Killed as SUV Plunges into Gorge in Tehri After Funeral
Synopsis
Eight people returning from a funeral in Haridwar were killed when their SUV plunged into a gorge near Nail on the Chamba–Kauti road in Tehri, Uttarakhand. The driver is suspected to have fallen asleep. Among the dead is the son of the person whose last rites were being performed — a grief doubled in a single day.
Key Takeaways
Eight people were killed and two injured when an SUV fell into a gorge near Nail on the Chamba–Kauti road, Tehri, Uttarakhand on April 23, 2025 .
The victims were residents of Thyoldhar village, Ghansali , returning after performing last rites of a fellow villager in Haridwar .
Police suspect the driver fell asleep at the wheel shortly after the group stopped for lunch near Agarkhal around 3:00 PM .
Among those killed was the son of the deceased whose funeral the group had just attended.
Seven of eight victims have been identified; the eighth remained unidentified as of late Thursday evening.
Two survivors — Uttam (30) and Ankit (22) — are hospitalised.
PM Narendra Modi and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and announced relief for the victims' families.
New Tehri, Uttarakhand — April 23, 2025: A devastating road accident on the Chamba–Kauti highway in Tehri, Uttarakhand claimed eight lives on Thursday when an SUV carrying funeral attendees plunged into a deep gorge near Nail village. Two survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital. The victims — residents of Thyoldhar village in Ghansali — were returning home after performing last rites of a fellow villager in Haridwar. Police suspect the driver fell asleep at the wheel shortly after the group halted for lunch.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The group of approximately 10 people had stopped for lunch near Agarkhal around 3:00 PM before continuing their journey homeward. Shortly after resuming travel, the SUV veered off the mountain road and fell into the gorge below near Nail on the Chamba–Kauti route.
Police officials confirmed that the driver is suspected to have dozed off at the wheel — a tragically common cause of road accidents on Uttarakhand's winding hill roads, particularly after long journeys. Emergency and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site, recovering eight bodies from the ravine.
Victims Identified
Tehri District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal confirmed the identities of seven of the eight deceased. They are:
Lakshman (33), son of Mukhiliya, resident of Chanji, Tehri Garhwal; Asha Lal (40), son of Asadu, resident of Thela, Ghansali; Vijay Lal (36), son of Bhurkhaliya, resident of Thela, Ghansali; Prem Lal (60), son of Sampat Lal, resident of Village Chakreda, Ghansali; Mahavir (60), son of Vishulal, resident of Village Chakreda, Ghansali; Shiv Singh (35), son of Pushkar Singh, resident of Village Holta, Ghansali; and Sehat Lal (65), son of Gopal, resident of Village Chakreda, Ghansali. The identity of the eighth victim remained unconfirmed as of late Thursday evening.
Among those killed was the son of the deceased whose funeral the group had attended — adding a layer of profound tragedy to an already devastating event. The two injured survivors, Uttam (30), son of Pussu of Village Lostu, Badiyargarh, and Ankit (22), son of Asha Lal of Village Nelchami, Ghansali, were hospitalised and are receiving medical care.
Government Response and Relief Announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and announced relief assistance for the families of the victims. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also conveyed his grief and directed state authorities to ensure immediate support and compensation for the bereaved families.
Rescue and disaster response teams worked swiftly to retrieve all victims from the gorge, with local administration coordinating the operation under the supervision of the District Magistrate.
A Recurring Crisis on Uttarakhand's Mountain Roads
This tragedy is far from an isolated incident. Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain makes it one of India's most accident-prone states, with gorge and ravine fatalities reported every few months. Narrow hill roads, fatigued drivers, lack of crash barriers, and poor road maintenance are recurring factors cited by safety experts and state highway authorities alike.
According to road safety data, Tehri Garhwal district has witnessed multiple fatal vehicle accidents in recent years — many involving overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles navigating sharp curves without adequate guardrails. The Chamba–Kauti stretch, in particular, is known for its challenging gradient and limited road width.
Critics argue that despite repeated tragedies, investment in crash barriers, road widening, and driver fatigue monitoring on mountain highways remains insufficient — a policy gap that continues to cost lives. The state government has announced road safety upgrades in the past, but implementation has been inconsistent across remote districts like Tehri Garhwal.
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to conduct a formal inquiry into the cause of the accident, with police filing a report on the suspected driver fatigue angle. The families of the deceased are likely to receive ex-gratia relief from both the state and central governments. Pressure is mounting on Uttarakhand's highway department to accelerate the installation of safety barriers on high-risk mountain stretches — a demand that advocacy groups and local residents have raised repeatedly after similar tragedies.
Point of View
Fatigued drivers, and political inertia on road safety investment. The fact that the son of the very person being mourned is now among the dead should jolt the state administration into action — not just condolences and ex-gratia cheques, but structural reform of how hill roads are built, monitored, and maintained.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Tehri gorge accident on April 23, 2025?
An SUV carrying about 10 people fell into a gorge near Nail on the Chamba–Kauti road in Tehri, Uttarakhand, killing eight and injuring two. The group was returning from a funeral in Haridwar when the accident occurred, with police suspecting the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Who were the victims of the Tehri SUV gorge accident?
Seven of the eight deceased have been identified as residents of Ghansali and nearby villages in Tehri Garhwal, including Lakshman (33), Asha Lal (40), Vijay Lal (36), Prem Lal (60), Mahavir (60), Shiv Singh (35), and Sehat Lal (65). The eighth victim's identity was not confirmed by late Thursday evening.
What was the cause of the Chamba–Kauti road accident in Tehri?
Police suspect the driver dozed off at the wheel after the group halted for lunch near Agarkhal around 3:00 PM. Driver fatigue is a commonly cited factor in mountain road accidents across Uttarakhand.
What relief was announced for the Tehri accident victims' families?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami both expressed condolences and announced relief and assistance for the families of the victims. State authorities were directed to ensure immediate support.
How dangerous are mountain roads in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand is one of India's most accident-prone states due to its narrow, winding mountain roads, lack of crash barriers, and challenging terrain. Tehri Garhwal district in particular has seen multiple fatal gorge accidents in recent years, raising persistent concerns about road safety infrastructure.
