In a major road accident, seven people died and seventeen others were seriously injured when the vehicle they were traveling on slipped into a deep gorge around Nerwa (Himachal Pradesh), two kilometers ahead of Fedij Bridge on Vikasnagar-Tyuni Road at around 3.30 pm on Thursday.
Twenty-nine passengers were on the vehicle when it reached Vikasnagar. According to preliminary probe, the driver had lost the control of the vehicle leading to the accident.
Kalsi police rushed to the spot after being informed by the locals, said Vikasnagar circle officer SK Singh.
Revenue police too reached the spot to conduct relief and rescue operations.
The names of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, he added.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic accident. He directed the DM, Dehradun, to conduct a magisterial inquiry and to ensure that the right compensation amounts reach the next of kin of the deceased and those injured from the CM's Relief Fund.
Also, the State would bear medical expenses of the injured.