13 killed, 2 injured as boulders crush vehicle in Himachal

Thirteen people, including a six-month-old infant, were killed on Friday, July 24, 2026, when massive boulders fell from a hillside onto a moving vehicle in Himachal Pradesh's remote Lahaul and Spiti district. Two passengers survived by jumping from the vehicle moments before it was crushed. The sports utility vehicle, carrying 15 people, was traveling from Kullu to Killar when the rockslide struck near Karunallah on the Udaipur-Pangi road.

The impact of the falling boulders completely crushed the vehicle and caused its rear section to catch fire. Bystanders and Army personnel at the scene attempted to extinguish the flames. Videos circulating online showed the mangled vehicle engulfed in fire. Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti, Kiran Badana, confirmed the death toll to media and stated that rescue teams were dispatched immediately after the incident was reported. Relief operations are ongoing.

According to preliminary information from police, the passengers had been stranded in Tindi after the Udaipur-Killar road was closed the previous day due to landslides. They resumed their journey toward Pangi on Friday after the road reopened. The identities of the victims have not...