A taxi carrying passengers from Kullu to the remote Pangi Valley was buried in a massive landslide on the Udaipur–Killar road on Friday, leaving 13 people, including a six-month-old infant, dead and two injured.
The victims are believed to belong to Pangi Valley in Chamba district, while the exact number of passengers remains unclear.
Preliminary reports had suggested that around 10 to 12 passengers were in the taxi when the landslide struck. A large amount of debris and rocks came crashing down the hillside, completely burying the vehicle.
The passengers had reportedly spent the night at Tindi after the Udaipur–Killar road was blocked on Thursday. The road reopened on Friday morning, following which they resumed their journey towards Pangi. The incident took place near Kaddu Nala.
The road is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). One person was rescued alive from the debris but died while being taken to hospital. Pangi
Resident Commissioner Amandeep Singh said teams from Lahaul and Spiti Police and the local administration reached the site soon after receiving information about the incident. Singh said the accident site falls under the jurisdiction of the Lahaul and Spiti Police and district administration. He added that he was travelling to the spot to assess the situation and oversee the response.
He urged people to avoid routes vulnerable to landslides as heavy rains continue in the region. He also advised travellers to check official warnings and follow administrative advisories before starting journeys in the hilly areas.
Also read: NHAI team braves landslides to rush infant to hospital in Chamba
Follow us
