Maharashtra: 8 dead, 29 injured as pick-up van falls into gorge

In Maharashtra, 8 people died and 29 others sustained injuries after a pick-up van they were travelling in plunged 25 to 30 feet into a gorge near Kundeshwar Temple in Papalwadi village in Khed in Pune district.The deceased have been identified as Shobha Dnyaneshwar Papal, Suman Kaluram Papal, Sharda Ramdas Chorge, Manda Kanif Darekar, Sanjeevani Kailas Darekar, Mirabai Sambhaji Chorge, Baidabai Nyayneshwar Darekar and Shakuntala Tanaji Chorghe.

Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey said that the place where the van carrying the pilgrims fell into the gorge falls in the ghat section. “The injured are currently recuperating in private hospitals in Khed tehsil,” he added. The pilgrims were on their way to the Kundeshwar Temple as it was the third Monday of the month of Shravan, considered holy and auspicious by Hindus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X stated that he was saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Pune and offered condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. “May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” he stated in the tweet.