Tragedy in Uttarakhand: 8 Dead, 8 Injured After Taxi Falls Into Gorge in Pithoragarh

On Tuesday around 5 PM, a jeep traveling from Muwani to Bokta lost control near Syuni Bridge on the Pithoragarh-Thal road and fell about 40 meters into the Syuni stream. Eight people, including the driver, died in the accident. Among the dead were an eight-year-old girl and two sisters who were school students in classes 9 and 11. Eight others were injured, and most of them are in serious condition. They have been sent to the district hospital in Pithoragarh for treatment.

Vehicle Crushed Among Boulders, Locals Rushed to Rescue

The Max jeep, bearing registration number UK 05 TA 0193, departed from Muwani with 16 passengers en route to Bokta, about 8 kilometres away. Just one kilometre from Muwani, near Syuni Bridge, the vehicle lost control and fell straight into the stream, crashing onto massive boulders 40 metres below. The impact shattered the jeep, causing several bodies and vehicle parts to scatter into the stream." Locals rushed to the spot, rescued the injured from the gorge, and transported them to the hospital. Thal police station was informed, and police promptly reached the site.

The deceased have been identified as:

Simran (8), daughter of Kundan Singh

Tanuja (14), daughter of Chandra Singh

Vinita (16), daughter of Chandra Singh

Narendra Singh (40), driver, son of Chandra Singh

Rajendra Singh (60), son of Kishan Singh

Hoshiar Singh (65), son of Bhim Singh

Shanti Devi (50), wife of Keshav Ram

Deeksha Bora (26), wife of Pankaj Bora

All deceased were residents of Bokta.

The injured include:

Vinita (20), daughter of Puran Bahadur

Yogesh Kumar (20), son of Kishan Ram

Shyam Singh Munoala (35), son of Bahadur Singh Munoala

Diwan Singh (55), son of Bhim Singh

Sumit Singh (22), son of Praveen Singh

Pooja Munoala, wife of Kundan Singh Munoala

Primary treatment was administered at the Muwani PHC. The critically injured were immediately shifted to Pithoragarh District Hospital via 108 ambulance services, while those with less severe injuries were transported using other vehicles.

Government Response and CM's Condolences

Upon receiving the news, SDM Didihat Khushboo Pandey, Police Circle Officer KS Rawat, and Thal Station Head Shankar Rawat, along with other officials, reached the site. "CM Dhami expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the district administration and rescue teams to expedite the relief operations and instructed that the injured be provided timely and free medical treatment.