Eight Lives Lost and Three Injured: How Did a Vehicle Plunge into a Gorge in Uttarakhand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Eight lives lost in a tragic vehicle accident.
- Three individuals injured and receiving medical treatment.
- Financial assistance announced by PM Modi for victims' families.
- Initial reports suggest poor road conditions contributed to the accident.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), July 15 (NationPress) A devastating road accident unfolded in the Muwani region of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand on Tuesday, as a Max vehicle carrying 13 passengers plunged into a gorge that was approximately 150 metres deep.
The tragic incident resulted in the immediate deaths of eight individuals, while three others incurred serious injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow regarding the fatalities and declared financial aid for the families affected by this calamity.
Utilizing the official account of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X, he remarked: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives resulting from a road accident in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. My heartfelt condolences go out to those mourning their loved ones. I wish a swift recovery for the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be allocated to each deceased's next of kin. The injured will receive Rs. 50,000.”
Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also conveyed his profound sorrow over the occurrence, offering his condolences to the grieving families.
In a message shared on Facebook, Chief Minister Dhami stated:
“I received the heartbreaking news of a vehicle accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district. I pray for the souls lost in this tragedy and for strength for the families left behind. The district administration has been instructed to ensure that the injured receive appropriate medical care. I pray for the swift recovery of all those affected by the accident.”
Preliminary information indicates that the ill-fated vehicle was traveling from Muwani to Bokta when the accident occurred.
In the aftermath of the incident, senior administrative officials promptly arrived at the scene, collaborating with disaster management teams to facilitate a rescue operation.
The injured were extracted from the gorge and rushed via ambulance to the closest hospital for urgent treatment.
The severity of the accident left the vehicle thoroughly mangled. The identities of the deceased have yet to be confirmed, but local officials have indicated that the victims were residents of the area who were returning home at the time of the tragedy.
Initial evaluations imply that poor road conditions and excessive speed may have played a role in this unfortunate accident, although the exact cause remains under investigation.