Four tourists from Delhi died after their car plunged into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Thursday [1], [3].
The accident highlights the persistent dangers of navigating steep Himalayan motor roads, where mechanical failures can lead to catastrophic outcomes for travelers.
The vehicle, identified as a Bolero taxi, was carrying seven occupants [3] when the driver lost control on a steep stretch of road [1]. The car fell approximately 500 meters into the gorge [3]. Local reports said the crash occurred near Kunar Bend on the Dewal-Ghes motor road [1], though other reports place the site near Kolhukhet [3].
Emergency responders said four people were killed [1]. While one report said four people were injured [1], another source noted that a woman and a child escaped the wreckage [2].
Preliminary investigations into the cause of the accident suggest the vehicle suffered a brake failure while descending the steep terrain [3]. This mechanical failure likely prevented the driver from maintaining control of the taxi before it went over the edge [1].
Rescue operations in the Chamoli district are often complicated by the extreme depth of the gorges and the rugged nature of the terrain. Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased tourists from Delhi.
“Four tourists from Delhi died after their car plunged into a deep gorge”
This incident underscores the critical need for rigorous vehicle safety inspections for taxis operating in high-altitude regions. Brake failure on steep descents is a recurring risk in the Uttarakhand hills, where the combination of heavy loads and sharp gradients puts extreme stress on mechanical systems.
