SHILLONG: A pall of gloom has descended upon the tranquil hills of Meghalaya after a devastating accident on Sunday evening claimed the lives of three people and left two others missing. The tragic incident occurred on the perilous Shillong-Dawki Road, a thoroughfare notorious for its sharp turns and challenging terrain, when a car carrying five occupants, including a pregnant woman, plunged into a 70-foot-deep gorge near Rngain.
According to police sources, the ill-fated vehicle was en route from Shillong to Pynursla when the driver, for reasons yet to be ascertained, lost control. The absence of guardrails and proper signage on the construction-ridden highway, coupled with the poor visibility that often blankets the area after dusk, is believed to have played a significant role in the tragedy. A local resident, speaking to reporters, lamented the perilous state of the road, stating, “It’s extremely dangerous.”
Rescue operations, launched immediately after the incident, led to the recovery of three bodies – those of a man, a woman, and a minor. The identities of the victims have not been officially released as of Monday morning. A massive search operation is currently underway to locate the two missing individuals, one of whom is believed to be a pregnant woman. Police officers, grappling with the difficult terrain and treacherous conditions, are hopeful of a breakthrough.
The incident has once again brought to the fore the pressing issue of road safety in the region. Locals and officials alike have repeatedly raised concerns about the ongoing construction work on the highway, which began in 2023, pointing to the lack of adequate safety measures. The community is now united in grief and frustration, demanding immediate action to prevent such a heartbreaking loss of life in the future.
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