13 Dead in Himachal's Lahaul-Spiti as boulders crush moving vehicle
Thirteen people, including a six-month-old infant, were killed and two others survived after massive boulders from a nearby hill fell onto a moving SUV on the Udaipur-Pangi road in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district on Friday.
Fifteen people were travelling in the vehicle from Kullu to Killar when the boulders suddenly crashed onto it, completely crushing the SUV. The two survivors reportedly jumped out of the vehicle before the impact, Bharmour MLA Janak Raj said.
The rear section of the vehicle caught fire following the impact. Bystanders and Army personnel at the spot attempted to douse the flames. Videos of the incident showed the vehicle reduced to wreckage and engulfed in fire.
Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti Kiran Badana confirmed that 13 people had died.
Police and rescue teams reached the site after receiving information about the accident, and relief and rescue operations are underway.
According to preliminary information, the passengers had been stranded at Tindi after the Udaipur-Killar road was closed the previous day. They set off for Pangi on Friday after the road reopened but met with the accident.
The identities of the deceased and survivors have not yet been officially confirmed. Janak Raj urged the deputy commissioners of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti to expedite relief and rescue operations.
The administration confirmed that the relief and rescue operations are underway, and the administration is closely monitoring the situation.
