A nighttime journey from Pune to Konkan ended in tragedy when a Thar SUV fell approximately 500 feet into a ravine on the Tamhini Ghat section in Raigad district. Authorities suspect that all six young individuals in the car have perished.
The Uttamnagar Police suspect that the accident happened around midnight on Monday, November 17, but it remained unnoticed until the families reported them missing. The individuals have been identified as Shahaji Chavan (22, from Kondhave Dhawade), Punit Sudharak Shetty (20, from Kopre village), Sahil Sadhu Bote (24, from Kopre village), Shri Mahadev Koli (18, from Bhairavnath Nagar), Omkar Sunil Koli (18, from Bhairavnath Nagar), and Shiva Arun Mane (19, from Bhairavnath Nagar).
The group departed in a Thar SUV (MH12 YN 8004) heading towards Konkan but quickly became unresponsive to calls. Utilizing mobile data and CCTV footage to determine their last known location, police initiated a search operation. On Thursday, November 20, drone teams discovered the SUV and the bodies of four young individuals deep in the valley near a dangerous, accident-prone bend.
A major rescue mission is in progress, with the Mangaon Police, Raigad District Disaster Management teams, the Mulshi Taluka Disaster Management Committee, and local villagers all participating. The recovery efforts are proving to be very difficult due to steep slopes, dense vegetation, and the valley's depth. The search for the last two victims continues.
Initial findings indicate that the driver might have lost control at a sharp curve near Kondethar village while going down the ghat. Although there are metal safety railings along some sections, they provide minimal protection at the more acute bends. The region is notorious for its hazardous turns and low visibility during nighttime travel.
Local activists such as Pramod Balkavade, Shelar Mama, and Ankush Dhamale have once again called for enhanced crash barriers, better speed-control measures, and more rigorous enforcement to avert similar incidents. Authorities have not yet officially verified the identities of the bodies found, and search efforts are ongoing.