Manimahesh yatra tragedy: Punjab pilgrim dies as boulder pierces through SUV sunroof near Chamba
PTC News Desk: A pilgrim from Punjab died after a large boulder crashed through the sunroof of the SUV he was travelling in on the Chamba-Bharmour road in Himachal Pradesh early Wednesday.
The accident took place at around 3 am near Mehla when four friends from Punjab were travelling to Bharmour for the Manimahesh Yatra. According to police, a boulder suddenly rolled down the hillside and struck their SUV. The rock broke through the vehicle's sunroof and hit one of the passengers.
The deceased has been identified as Makhan Singh (40), a resident of Maliyan village in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital, Chamba, where doctors declared him dead. The three other occupants of the SUV escaped without injuries.
After receiving information about the accident, police and local administration officials reached the spot. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and police have started further legal proceedings. The victim's family has also been informed.
The incident comes as thousands of devotees are travelling to the Manimahesh shrine for the annual pilgrimage. The Chamba-Bharmour road, the main route to the shrine, is known to be prone to landslides and falling rocks during the monsoon season.
Authorities have urged pilgrims and other travellers to be extremely careful while driving on hilly roads, especially during the monsoon and in areas vulnerable to landslides and falling boulders. The incident highlights the dangers of travelling in the Himalayan region during the rainy season.
- With inputs from agencies
