The Lahaul-Spiti boulder tragedy has claimed thirteen lives after a massive rock plunged from a hillside and crushed a vehicle near Kadunala on the Udaipur-Killar road. The accident occurred this afternoon in Himachal Pradesh’s remote tribal district, sending shockwaves through the region and prompting an immediate response from local authorities.
Vehicle Carrying 13 People Buried Under Rockfall
According to Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Lahaul-Spiti, Kiran Bhadana, the vehicle was carrying thirteen people, including the driver, at the time of the incident. All occupants lost their lives when the boulder came crashing down onto the road without warning.
The exact cause behind the sudden rockfall has not yet been determined. Hilly stretches such as the Udaipur-Killar road are known for loose boulders and unstable slopes, particularly along sections cut through steep mountain terrain where weathered rock faces remain vulnerable to sudden collapse.
The Udaipur-Killar road connects remote settlements in the Pangi and Lahaul valleys, an area that remains cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh for several months each year due to heavy snowfall. Vehicles plying this stretch often carry local residents, traders, and workers travelling between villages, making any disruption on this route deeply felt by the wider community.
Rescue Operations Underway in the Lahaul-Spiti Boulder Tragedy
Officials said that as soon as news of the accident reached the administration, multiple agencies mobilised for a joint rescue and relief operation. The district administration, local police, and the Border Roads Organisation were among the first responders to reach the remote site.
Given the difficult terrain and limited connectivity in the area, coordinating a swift response required close cooperation between civil authorities and road-maintenance personnel already stationed nearby. The Border Roads Organisation, which maintains several strategic routes in the region, played a key role in clearing access to the accident spot.
Bhadana confirmed that identification of the deceased is currently in progress. She added that detailed information about the victims would only be released after official confirmation, given the sensitivity of the situation for grieving families awaiting news.
Rescue and relief work at the accident site was continuing through the day, with the district administration closely monitoring developments as teams worked to clear debris and recover the vehicle from beneath the fallen rock.
Chief Minister Orders Direct Oversight of Relief Work
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the tragedy soon after receiving the news. He directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti to personally supervise rescue and relief operations at the accident site.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to extend all possible assistance to the families of those who died, underlining the state government’s commitment to supporting the bereaved during this difficult time. His directive signalled the seriousness with which the state administration is treating the incident.
National Leaders Convey Condolences
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan both expressed grief over the accident. The President conveyed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased through a social media post, while the Vice President offered similar condolences to the bereaved families through his own message.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and former Union Minister and Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur also expressed profound grief over the incident. Each leader conveyed condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the accident, reflecting the scale of concern the tragedy has drawn from across the political spectrum.
Conclusion
The Lahaul-Spiti boulder tragedy has left the tribal district in mourning as authorities work to complete identification of the victims and support affected families. With rescue operations still underway, officials have appealed for patience while verification of details continues, and further updates are expected once the process concludes and official confirmation is issued to the public.
Also read: Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: 11 Bodies Recovered as Rescue Operations Intensify in Namchi
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