7 Nepalese men killed as pickup van plunges into Nainital gorge

“Tuesday morning the SDRF team was informed by the Nainital Disaster Control Room that a vehicle had crashed into a ditch near Betalghat, requiring SDRF team for rescue. On the above information, the SDRF team immediately left for the spot with the necessary rescue equipment under the guidance of Sub-Inspector Ram Singh Bora,” the SDRF said in a statement.

Officials said that all passengers, except the van driver, were Nepal citizens.

“The SDRF team took immediate action after reaching the spot and launched a relief and rescue operation by descending into a deep ditch about 150 metres below. While conducting a joint rescue operation with the local people and the police, the SDRF team took out the bodies of 8 people who died in the incident, and 2 other injured were taken out and sent to a hospital,” SDRF said.

The deceased have been identified as Vishram Chaudhary (50), Antram Chaudhary (40), Gopal Basniat (60), Udairam Choudhary (55), Vinod Chaudhary (30), Tilak Chaudhary (45), Dheeraj Chaudhary (45) and driver Rajendra Kumar, resident of Betalghat, Nainital.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also condoled the deaths of those killed in the road accident.

“Very sad news was received about the casualties of eight people in a road accident in Nainital district. I pray to God to grant peace to the souls of the departed and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this suffering. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured. Om Shanti,” Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami tweeted.