7 Bengaluru residents killed in Himachal gorge fall near Sach Pass
Synopsis
Eight tourists, seven of them from Bengaluru, died after their taxi plunged into a gorge near Sach Pass in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district on the night of 29 May. The group, staying in Dalhousie, never returned from a day trip to the snow-bound pass. BJP Karnataka chief B.Y. Vijayendra has urged the state government to repatriate the remains and support the bereaved families.
Key Takeaways
Eight tourists , including seven Bengaluru residents from two families, died in a road accident near Sach Pass , Chamba district , Himachal Pradesh .
The tourist taxi plunged into a deep gorge at a sharp bend near Kalaban on the Bairagarh-Killar route around midnight on 29 May .
The group had been staying at a hotel in Dalhousie ; police were alerted after they failed to return by evening.
All eight bodies were recovered following an intensive search and rescue operation under difficult terrain conditions.
BJP Karnataka President B.Y.
Vijayendra urged the Karnataka government to coordinate with Himachal Pradesh authorities and facilitate repatriation of the mortal remains.
Seven residents of Bengaluru, part of a group of eight tourists from two families, were killed after their taxi plunged into a deep gorge near Sach Pass in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, in the early hours of 29 May. The accident, which occurred on the treacherous Bairagarh-Killar route at a sharp bend near Kalaban, claimed all eight lives aboard the vehicle.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to police, the tourist car fell into a steep gorge around midnight on 29 May while the group was travelling toward Sach Pass, one of the most challenging high-altitude stretches in Himachal Pradesh. The families had been staying at a hotel in Dalhousie and had set out for the pass that morning. When they did not return by evening, the hotel management alerted the police.
Authorities launched an intensive search and rescue operation under difficult terrain conditions and recovered all eight bodies from the gorge. Officials noted that the snow-bound approach to Sach Pass makes the route particularly hazardous, especially after dark.
BJP Karnataka Chief Calls for Government Action
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday, 1 June expressed deep shock over the tragedy. In a statement posted on social media, Vijayendra said he was devastated to learn that seven members of two Bengaluru families had perished in what he described as a heartbreaking accident.
“It is extremely shocking to learn that eight people, including seven members of two Bengaluru families, were killed in the tragic accident near Sach Pass in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It is truly heartbreaking that families who had gone on a holiday met with such a tragic end,” he said.
Vijayendra urged the Karnataka government to coordinate with its Himachal Pradesh counterpart to ensure all necessary assistance reaches the bereaved families. He specifically called for the swift transportation of the mortal remains back to Bengaluru.
The Victims and Their Journey
The deceased were tourists from Bengaluru who had travelled to Himachal Pradesh for sightseeing. They were reportedly staying at a hotel in Dalhousie before embarking on the ill-fated trip toward Sach Pass. The identities of all eight victims have not yet been officially released in full, according to available reports.
This comes amid a period of heightened tourist activity in Himachal Pradesh’s mountain circuits, where narrow roads and sharp bends near high-altitude passes have historically posed serious risks to vehicles, particularly at night.
What Happens Next
Vijayendra expressed hope that the Karnataka government would act swiftly to support the affected families and facilitate the repatriation of the remains. “I pray for eternal peace for the departed souls and for God to give the grieving family members the strength to bear this unexpected tragedy,” he said.
Authorities in Himachal Pradesh are expected to file a detailed accident report. The families await the return of their loved ones as calls grow for improved safety measures on the Sach Pass route.
Point of View
Yet tourist traffic on it has grown without a commensurate upgrade in guardrails, signage, or night-travel advisories. Political condolences and inter-government coordination requests, while necessary, are reactive. The harder question — why private taxis are permitted on this route after dark without mandatory safety checks — is one that neither the state government nor tourism operators appear eager to answer.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened near Sach Pass in Himachal Pradesh?
A tourist taxi carrying eight people, including seven Bengaluru residents from two families, fell into a deep gorge near Sach Pass in Chamba district around midnight on 29 May. All eight occupants died; their bodies were recovered after an intensive search operation.
Who were the victims of the Sach Pass accident?
The victims were eight tourists from Bengaluru, comprising members of two families who had travelled to Himachal Pradesh for sightseeing. They were staying at a hotel in Dalhousie before the accident occurred.
How was the accident discovered?
The hotel management in Dalhousie alerted police when the group did not return by evening on 29 May. A search and rescue operation was then launched, and all eight bodies were recovered from the gorge.
What has BJP Karnataka chief B.Y. Vijayendra demanded?
B.Y. Vijayendra urged the Karnataka government to coordinate with the Himachal Pradesh government to provide all necessary assistance to the bereaved families and facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains back to Bengaluru.
Why is Sach Pass considered dangerous?
Sach Pass is one of the toughest high-altitude stretches in Himachal Pradesh, characterised by narrow roads, sharp bends, and snow-bound conditions. The Bairagarh-Killar route, where the accident occurred, is particularly hazardous, especially for vehicles travelling at night.
