Shimla, June 1 -- Rescue teams on Sunday retrieved the bodies of seven tourists and a taxi driver who were killed after their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge near Kalaban on the Bairagarh-Sach Pass route in Chamba district's Churah subdivision on Friday midnight, officials said on Sunday.

"The accident site posed significant challenges for rescuers. The bodies were recovered after more than seven-hours of strenuous activity that began at 7 am on Sunday and ended at 2 pm," said Chamba deputy commissioner Mukesh Repaswal.

He added, "Steep terrain, adverse weather conditions, and the complete absence of mobile connectivity in the region posed a major challenge. Superintendent of Police Vijay Saklani is on the spot. We are communicating t...