SUV plunges into 1,000-ft deep valley, 8 die in Raigad:Incident occur at midnight in Ambenali Ghat area in Maharashtra, CM expresses grief

Eight tourists were killed after an SUV plunged into a deep gorge in Maharashtra’s Raigad district late Sunday night, triggering a massive rescue operation in the rugged Ambenali Ghat region. The accident took place around 2.30 am on the Mahabaleshwar-Poladpur road near Ambenali Ghat, one of the most dangerous stretches in the Western Ghats. Police said the victims were residents of Satara district and were travelling from Dapoli to Satara when the tragedy occurred. According to preliminary information, the victims were travelling in a Scorpio SUV that reportedly lost control before crashing into the gorge. Local residents estimated the valley to be nearly 1,000 feet deep, making rescue efforts extremely difficult through the night. Vehicle falls into deep valley Officials said the SUV was moving along the winding ghat section when it suddenly veered off the road and plunged into the valley below. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be officially confirmed, though police suspect high speed may have played a role in the accident. The crash occurred in near-total darkness, complicating rescue operations in the steep mountainous terrain. Visual access to the vehicle remained limited for several hours due to the depth of the gorge and poor visibility in the area. Police sources said the Scorpio involved in the accident belonged to residents of Asgaon village in Koregaon taluka of Satara district. Rescue teams launch overnight operation Soon after the accident was reported, teams from the Poladpur Police, local rescue volunteers and emergency responders rushed to the spot and began a large-scale search operation. Rescuers had to navigate dense forest patches, rocky slopes and dangerous terrain to reach the wreckage. Officials described the operation as highly challenging because of the massive depth of the valley and darkness across the ghat section. So far, two bodies have been recovered from the gorge, while search teams continue efforts to trace the remaining victims and retrieve the damaged vehicle.. Names of the deceased: 1. Ansh Samir Chavhan, age 19, Res. Borgaon, Tehsil Chiplun, District Ratnagiri. 2. Ritesh Rajendra Lokhande, age 22, res. Asgaon, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 3. Suhas Jitendra Lokhande, age 20, res. Asgaon, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 4. Utkarsh Anand Shingate, age 21, res. Mardhe, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 5. Nikhil Abhimanyu Shingate, age 25, res. Mardhe, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 6. Mahesh Anil Pawar, age 25, res. Asgaon, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 7. Aditya Ashok Salunkhe, age 21, res. Asgaon, Taluka Satara, District Satara. 8. Rajesh Ashok Katkar, age 35, res. Khatav, Taluka Khatav, District Satara. Accident incident in Raigad district is tragic – Chief Minister Expressing grief over tragic accident, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’s post on X said, “I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share in the grief of their families. These 8 friends were on a trip when their vehicle plunged 1500 feet into a valley. As a result, the bodies are scattered at different locations. The district administration has promptly initiated relief and rescue operations, forming 5 teams each comprising 7 personnel. Efforts to retrieve the bodies have been undertaken at a war footing, and so far, 3 bodies have been recovered. The remaining bodies will be retrieved soon. Assistance from NDRF is also being availed. Other voluntary rescue teams are also providing help. Of the deceased, 1 is from Ratnagiri district, while the remaining 7 are from Satara district. The Raigad and Satara police forces are also coordinating efforts.” ​