CHAMBA, HIMACHAL PRADESH — A devastating road accident in the Chamba district has claimed the lives of seven people after the SUV they were traveling in veered off the road and plunged approximately 500 meters into a deep gorge late Wednesday night.

The tragic incident occurred near Chhatrund on the Chamba-Masroond road, a remote stretch where the vehicle reportedly lost control and tumbled down the steep mountainside.

The victims were returning to their homes in Mehal village under the Kuthed gram panchayat after attending a family ceremony in Kakroda village when the crash occurred. According to local reports, the accident took place around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The impact of the fall was so severe that the Mahindra Bolero was completely crushed, and all seven occupants—three women and four men—died on the spot. The deceased included three brothers and other members of the same family, alongside the driver.

Local residents, upon discovering the scene on Thursday morning, immediately alerted the police and district administration. A challenging rescue operation ensued, with police personnel and villagers working together in the difficult terrain to retrieve the bodies from the gorge.

"Preliminary probes suggest the driver may have lost control, either due to fatigue or an attempt to avoid animals on the road," said Vijay Kumar Saklani, Superintendent of Police, Chamba. Authorities noted that there were no signs of a collision with another vehicle at the scene, and a formal investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

The bodies have been transported to the Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital in Chamba for post-mortem examinations.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound grief over the loss of life, offering his condolences to the bereaved families. He has directed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families during this time of mourning.

As the community reels from the disaster, questions are once again being raised regarding road safety infrastructure; with locals pointing out that the hazardous stretch lacks sufficient crash barriers.