The vehicle — a Toyota Innova — lying mangled at the bottom of the ravine revealed the magnitude of the tragedy.
A horrifying accident in Nashik has left six people dead and shaken the community. On Sunday afternoon, a car carrying seven passengers plunged into a 600-foot deep gorge at Saptashring Garh Ghat in Kalwan taluka. The crash happened around 4 pm. All six occupants in the vehicle died instantly. The seventh passenger survived but remained seriously injured.
The vehicle — a Toyota Innova — lying mangled at the bottom of the ravine revealed the magnitude of the tragedy. Local police, disaster management teams, and rescue workers rushed to the scene to recover the bodies and aid the injured.
Authorities identified the deceased as Kirti Patel (50), Raseela Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Vachan Patel (60), and Maniben Patel (70). All belonged to Pimpalgaon Baswant in Niphad taluka. The community has been left in deep shock as family members gathered at the site and at hospitals.
Officials led by the local Superintendent of Police and the District Disaster Authority oversaw the recovery operations. Rescue teams worked through challenging terrain amid steep slopes and difficult access to retrieve the vehicle and bodies.
The tragedy drew immediate responses from top leadership. The Prime Minister said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nashik, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon.”
Meanwhile, the State Chief Minister described the incident as “extremely tragic.” The government announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to each bereaved family. He also assured full administrative support for rescue work and aid for the injured.
This accident has raised serious concerns about road safety in ghats and hilly areas. Carriages through steep roads with narrow turns and deep ravines demand strict safety protocols. Locals and officials are calling for better road maintenance, guardrails, warning signs, and stricter enforcement of speed limits, especially in high-risk zones.
Residents have expressed fears that this fatal crash might not be isolated. They demand urgent assessments of other dangerous stretches to prevent future tragedies.
As grief and anger ripple through Nashik and surrounding talukas, the accident remains a reminder of how quickly lives can be lost. Families wait on support, officials promise reviews — but the deeper message is clear: driving through ghats and rugged terrain demands vigilance, caution and respect for road safety norms.
This Sunday’s tragedy must not fade into memory. It must become a catalyst for stricter safety measures, better infrastructure, and greater awareness — so that no more lives are lost in the curves of a road.
