3 Manimahesh-bound pilgrims die as vehicle falls into gorge in Himachal's Bharmour

Chamba, August 28

Three Manimahesh-bound pilgrims, including two women, were killed and ten injured when a Tata Sumo MUV in which they were travelling veered off the road and plunged into a gorge on Wednesday at Bharmour-Bharmani Mata road in Chamba district.

The mishap took place around 9 am at Kaloti, about 65 km from district headquarters, said Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal.

The deceased have been identified as Neha (21), Diksha (39) and Santrup, all residents of Punjab's Pathankot district. Nine of the injured are from Pathankot and one from Uttar Pradesh.

On hearing about the crash, locals rushed to the scene to rescue the injured.

An emergency team, including police and home guard personnel, also reached the spot and the injured were taken to the Civil Hospital in Bharmour.

Later, four critically injured persons were transferred to Chamba Government Medical College and Hospital.

Even as the cause behind the accident is yet to be ascertained, the police suspect that the driver lost control on the wheel while negotiating a sharp curve.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner said the ill-fated vehicle was overloaded with 13 people on board against a capacity of nine. He said the police have also registered a case in the matter.