Tragedy Strikes Konkan Trip: Six Young Lives Lost in Tamhini Ghat
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the community, six young friends from Pune met a tragic end after their SUV plunged into a deep gorge in the Tamhini Ghat region of Raigad district. The victims, all aged between 18 and 24 years, were on what was supposed to be an enjoyable trip to the Konkan region when the disaster struck.
The Victims and Their Final Journey
The six deceased have been identified as Shahji Chavan (22), Punit Sudhakar Shetty (20), Sahil Sadhu Bote (24), Shri Mahadev Koli (18), Omkar Sunil Koli (18) and Shiva Arun Mane (19). According to senior police inspector Mohan Khandare of Uttam Nagar police station, the young men were residents of various locations in Pune including Kondhve Dhawade, New Kopre village and Bhairavnath Nagar, all falling under the Uttam Nagar police station jurisdiction.
The group had embarked on their journey to Konkan in a Mahindra Thar SUV on November 17 around 11:30 am. Their families grew concerned when they became unreachable on November 18, prompting them to file a missing persons report with the police on November 19.
Massive Search Operation and Grim Discovery
Police investigation revealed that the group's last known location was in the Tamhini Ghat region, information that was immediately passed to Raigad police authorities. A massive search operation was launched involving multiple agencies including the Mangaon police station, Raigad Disaster Management Committee, Mulshi Taluka Disaster Management Committee, Shelar Mana Rescue Team and local villagers.
The search culminated in a tragic discovery on Thursday morning when rescue teams located the mangled SUV in a 500-foot deep gorge. Police had to deploy drones to spot the bodies due to the challenging terrain and depth of the gorge.
Investigation and Aftermath
Raigad district Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal stated that preliminary investigation suggests the SUV broke through the road railings in Tamhini Ghat and rolled down into the gorge. Police suspect the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, with the accident likely occurring on November 18.
In a grim development, police confirmed that the bodies had begun decomposing, necessitating that postmortem examinations be conducted at the accident spot itself. Family members of all six victims have been informed about the tragedy and have reached the location. The bodies will be handed over to them after completion of the postmortem procedures.
A thorough probe is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the accident and the precise time when the tragedy occurred. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Pune communities where the young men resided, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with ghat roads during monsoon and winter seasons.
