Lahaul-Spiti: At least 13 people, including a six-month-old infant, were killed after massive boulders crashed onto a moving taxi on the Udaipur–Pangi road in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district on Friday, police said.

Two others narrowly escaped after jumping out of the vehicle before it was completely crushed by the falling rocks.

The sport utility vehicle (SUV), carrying 15 people, was travelling from Kullu to Killar when large boulders broke away from a nearby hillside and landed on the vehicle, crushing it.

The impact caused the rear section of the vehicle to catch fire. Bystanders and Army personnel at the scene rushed to douse the flames. Videos circulating online showed the mangled vehicle engulfed in fire.

Confirming the incident, Bharmour MLA Janak Raj said 13 of the 15 occupants had died, while two people survived after managing to jump out of the vehicle.

He urged the Deputy Commissioners of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts to expedite relief and rescue operations. Police and emergency response teams were deployed to the site soon after the incident.

According to preliminary information, the passengers had been stranded at Tindi after the Udaipur–Killar road was closed a day earlier. They resumed their journey towards Pangi on Friday after the road reopened but met with the fatal accident. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially confirmed.

Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Kiran Badana also confirmed that 13 people had lost their lives.

Police said a rescue team was dispatched immediately after receiving information about the accident. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing, while the district administration is closely monitoring the situation.

(PTI)