Pickup plunges into gorge in Khed, leaves eight women dead

The pickup truck carrying the devotees at the bottom of the gorge. Pic/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Eight women died and 21 others were injured when a pickup carrying devotees to the Shri Kshetra Kundeshwar Mandir overturned and fell into a 25-30-foot-deep ghat in Khed taluka, Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, on Monday.

The accident occurred near Pait village, about three kilometres from the temple. According to police, 30 to 35 women from Pait had set out early in a pickup truck to offer prayers at the hilltop shrine of Lord Mahadev. The temple, a popular pilgrimage site in Khed taluka, is located around 18 km west of the Pune-Nashik Highway and surrounded by villages such as Kohinde Budruk, Talwade, and Vashere.

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Witnesses said the vehicle lost control on a narrow, traffic-prone ghat road. The driver reportedly failed to negotiate a bend, causing the pickup to veer off the road and plunge into a gorge. The impact caused it to overturn multiple times before halting.

Passing devotees and local residents rushed to help, pulling victims from the wreckage and transporting them to hospitals in private vehicles. Seven women died on the spot, while one more succumbed later in hospital. Authorities warned the death toll could rise, as some injured remain critical.

Victims identified

The deceased were identified as Shobha Janeshwar Papal, Suman Kaluram Papal, Sharda Ramdas Chorghe, Shakuntala Tanaji Chorghe, Manda Kanif Darekar, Sanjeevani Kailas Darekar, Meerabai Sambhaji Chorghe, and Baidabai Darekar.

The injured include Chitra Sharad Karande, Chandrabhaga Dattatray Darekar, Manda Changdev Papal, Laxmi Chandrakant Kolekar, Kalabai Malhari Londhe, Kavita Sarang Chorghe, Siddiqi Ramdas Chorghe, Chhababai Nivrutti Papal, Manisha Darekar, Janabai Karande, Fasabai Sawant, Supriya Londhe, Sulochana Kolekar, Mangal Sharad Darekar, Lata Karade, Nishant Londhe, and Rishikesh Karande, among others.

Annual pilgrimage

Kundeshwar Mandir attracts hundreds of devotees on Shravan Mondays. The scenic hilltop location also draws tourists. Police are investigating whether overloading, speeding, or driver negligence caused the crash.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar called the Pait-Khed mishap "extremely tragic and painful," expressing condolences to the bereaved.

"The administration, police, and health department launched rescue operations immediately. All injured have been admitted to nearby government and private hospitals for urgent treatment," he said. Pawar instructed officials to ensure the best possible medical care and speedy relief.

The state government has announced Rs 4 lakh financial assistance for the families of the deceased.