Tragic Plunge: 5 Dead After Scorpio SUV Plunges Into Raging Chenab River in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, JAMMU & KASHMIR — A harrowing road accident claimed five lives on Saturday, August, 15, 2026 when a Mahindra Scorpio SUV lost control on a rugged mountainous road and plunged into the turbulent waters of the Chenab River in the remote Dachhan area of Kishtwar district.

The devastating vehicle accident has plunged the isolated local community into deep mourning as rescue teams navigate treacherous river currents to retrieve the victims and secure the crash site.

The accident took place along a narrow, winding stretch of road connecting local villages in the Dachhan belt. According to preliminary reports, the driver of the SUV lost control while navigating a steep curve, causing the vehicle to skid off the unprotected roadway and plummet hundreds of feet down the steep gorge into the fast-flowing Chenab River below.

Eyewitnesses in the area described a terrifying sound as the SUV tumbled down the rocky embankment before being swallowed up by the aggressive river currents.

"The slope is extremely steep, and there were no guardrails to stop the vehicle. Within seconds of losing control, the car went over the edge and plunged straight into the deep water."— Local Villager

Local residents were the first to respond, scrambling down the rocky terrain to offer assistance and alerting local authorities. Teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers quickly launched a joint search and rescue operation.

Rescuers faced formidable challenges due to the steep slope, difficult terrain, and the sheer force of the Chenab's fast-moving waters. Despite these hazards, emergency teams managed to locate the submerged wreckage and recover the bodies of all five occupants inside the vehicle.

Local administration officials arrived at the scene to oversee the operations and extend support to the grieving families of the deceased. Police have formally registered a case and initiated an inquiry into the exact circumstances of the crash.

The tragic incident has renewed calls from residents for immediate safety measures along the dangerous mountain routes, including the installation of crash barriers, road widening, and better signage along high-risk gorges in the Kishtwar region.