17 Including 14 Women Die as Pick-Up Van Plunges Into Gorge in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: Seventeen people, including 14 women died when a pick-up van fell into a gorge in Kabirdham district in Chhattisgarh on Monday.

The accident occurred near the Bahpani village. Twenty-five people on board the ill-fated vehicle were returning after plucking tendu leaves.

The vehicle skidded off the road, overturned and plunged into the gorge. Fourteen women and a man were killed in the horrific accident, police sources said.

The injured persons were shifted to a hospital, the police said.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma in a message expressed condolences and assured all possible assistance to the injured and the families of those who died.

“The news of the death of 15 people when a pickup vehicle with labourers overturned in Kawardha is extremely painful. My condolences are with all the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.