12 killed as jeep falls into river in HP

Chamba, Aug 16 (UNI) Twelve pilgrims, including a woman and two children, were killed after a jeep, in which they were travelling, plunged into a river in this district of Himachal Pradesh last night, police said today.

The vehicle fell into the Ravi river near Basukundi, 24 km from here, on the Chamba-Bharmour road, killing 11 people on the spot.

District SP Upendra Thakur said a child, the lone survivor in the accident, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital early today, hence taking the toll to 12.

The bodies had been recovered after they were swept away by strong currents in the river, he said.

The SP said only four bodies have been identified so far and handed over to their relatives, while relatives of other victims were expected to reach the district anytime.

The victims, majority of hail were from Hamirpir district of the state, working in Baddi area, had hired the vehicle from this industrial town for the Manimahesh pilgrimage.

The four dead had been identified as Vinod, Sunil Kumar, Prakash Chand and Shammi.

Mr Thakur said cause of the accident was under investigations and added a case has been registered and investigations were on.

Meanwhile, in another incident two pilgrims died on their way to Manimahesh after complaining of breathlessness.

One of the deceased had been identified as Sadhu, 50, who was accompanied by his wife and two children. While the other person was yet to be identified, police sources said.

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