At least 13 people were killed after landslide rocks hit an SUV near Kahudu Nala in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the accident occurred in Udaipur area and the rocks fell in an area near Kahodu Nala. The vehicle driven by Bir Singh was damaged in the accident.
Speaking to ANI over phone, Lahaul Spiti Superintendent of Police Shivani Mehla said the local administration has started rescue and relief operations.
“A road accident occurred near Kahudu Nala due to falling rocks. The falling rocks hit the Tata Sumo vehicle. 13 people were killed in the accident. The police and local administration have started rescue and relief operations, and the injured are being shifted for medical treatment. Awaiting more details,” Mehla said.
She added that the injured were transferred to receive medical treatment.
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Vijay Kumar Saklani, Superintendent of Police, Chamba, said the victims were traveling in a four-wheeler and the vehicle was coming from the Udaipur side when a portion of the hill collapsed on their car.
“We have received information from Borthi, Bhangi, that residents of Bhangi who were traveling towards Lahaul Spiti met with an accident near Tindi. A landslide (part of a mountain) fell on their car. Our team from Borthi has reached the spot and the Lahaul Spiti team has also reached there. However, since there is no network connectivity, we cannot make a call at the moment. They are being provided medical assistance at the nearest facility,” Saklani told ANI.
Police said the incident is under investigation.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the deaths of 13 people in the road accident. The ill-fated car was on its way from Kullu to Bangui.
The Prime Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul Spiti to immediately go to the accident site and supervise the rescue and relief operations.
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He also asked the Deputy Commissioner to provide all possible assistance to the family of the deceased and the best treatment for the injured. He wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
“On hearing the news of the tragic incident at the Kadu Nala border area of Pangi and Lahaul-Spiti districts, where a rock fell on a Tata Sumo killing 13 people on the spot and injuring two others, I feel deeply saddened. The grief of the loss of dear ones cannot be expressed in words. In this difficult hour, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he said in a post on X.
“I have spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti and have issued directions regarding proper treatment of both the injured. The Deputy Commissioner is arriving at the site of the incident. I pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured,” the post read.
Sukho prayed to God Almighty to grant the souls of the deceased peace and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss.
Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh Parliament, Jairam Thakur, also expressed his sadness over the deaths in the accident.
“The heart is deeply saddened by the extremely heartbreaking and tragic accident in which a taxi traveling from Kullu to Pangi was crushed under rubble due to a collapsed hill near Kadu Nala in Lahaul. The news of the death of people, including an innocent child, in this horrific accident is extremely distressing, while reports indicate that two people have been injured,” Thakur said in a post on X. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families.”
He called for a speedy recovery for the injured.
