New Tehri: A tragic accident occurred on Thursday when a utility pickup truck plunged into a steep gorge in the Chamba region of Tehri district, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to two others, according to officials.

The victims, hailing from Thyoldhar village in Ghansali, were on their way home after attending the last rites of a fellow villager in Haridwar when the driver lost control of the Bolero Camper, as reported by Tehri District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal.

At the time of the incident, the vehicle was carrying around ten passengers. Emergency responders have successfully retrieved eight bodies and transported the injured to a local hospital.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and instructed the district administration to provide "immediate and adequate medical care" for those injured.

In a message posted on X, Dhami stated, "I pray to God to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families to cope with this profound loss."

The chief minister also emphasized the need for proper medical attention for the injured and wished them a swift recovery.

Rescue efforts have been underway, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and fire service personnel successfully rescuing two individuals from the wreckage.

"The vehicle was carrying approximately 9 to 10 passengers. Ongoing rescue operations aim to locate the remaining occupants," a senior official confirmed.

The incident was reported to the police through the Dial 112 emergency service, prompting an immediate dispatch of two ambulances and rescue teams to the scene.