Car plunges into roadside well in Nashik, entire Dargode family of nine killed

A tragic accident in Dindori Taluka claimed the lives of nine members of the Dargode family late Friday night when their Maruti XL6 vehicle plunged into a water-filled roadside well. The incident occurred around 10 pm as the family was returning from a social gathering in the Shivaji Nagar area of Dindori village.

Police and local rescue teams responded immediately to an emergency alert. Rescue operations, assisted by the National Disaster Response Force, involved cranes and skilled swimmers to retrieve the vehicle. The car was pulled out of the well at approximately 12:15 am, but all occupants were found dead. The deceased include Sunil Dattu Dargode (32), his wife Rakhi, and several children, with some identities still being verified.

Preliminary reports suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal fall. Authorities have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. The operation was briefly hampered by a large crowd that gathered near the accident site. All bodies were transported to the Government Hospital in Dindori for post-mortem examination.

The incident has left the local community in deep grief. Political leaders, including Rohit Pawar, expressed condolences, describing the tragedy as “heartbreaking” and urging support and strength for the bereaved family. Local authorities have also called for public cooperation to ensure smooth investigation and rescue operations.

This accident highlights the ongoing road safety crisis in India, where over 1.7 lakh people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2025, averaging nearly 460 fatalities daily. Experts emphasise the urgent need for safer infrastructure, stricter traffic enforcement, and increased public awareness to prevent such devastating incidents.