Shimla, July 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Thirteen people, including a six-month-old infant, were killed after a massive landslide of rocks from a mountain hit a Tata Sumo carrying 15 passengers in Himachal Pradesh’s remote Pangi Valley in Lahaul-Spiti district on Friday.
The vehicle was travelling from Kullu to Pangi when it came under falling debris near Karunallah on the Udaipur-Pangi road. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire. Two passengers survived after they managed to jump out moments before the vehicle was crushed.
Deputy Commissioner Kiran Badana said 15 people, including the driver, were travelling in the vehicle towards Pangi Valley via the Udaipur-Killar road. The road had remained closed for a day due to landslides and was reopened before the vehicle began its journey.
Police said the passengers had been stranded at Tindi due to the road closure and moved towards Pangi after traffic resumed.
Rescue operations were launched by Border Roads Organisation personnel, along with teams from Lahaul-Spiti Police and the local administration. Officials said the operation was being carried out under difficult conditions due to heavy rainfall, bad weather and continuous risk of falling debris.
Pangi Resident Commissioner Amandeep Singh said the Killar-Udaipur road, passing through the remote Chamba region, remains vulnerable to landslides and rockfalls during the monsoon season.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the Lahaul-Spiti administration to ensure immediate rescue and relief measures. He also instructed officials to provide assistance to the families of the deceased and proper treatment to the injured.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in several districts of Himachal Pradesh till July 26.
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