At least five persons were killed and 10 to 12 others injured after a pickup vehicle carrying passengers plunged into a 50-foot-deep gorge in Dharani taluka. This accident occurred on 22nd February, 2026 in Dhamnanala area near the ‘Ghodadev Baba’ temple on the Ranigaon–Shivajiri ghat stretch at around 6pm. News18 Marathi reported, Fifteen to twenty residents of Kanjoli village were returning from the weekly market at Dedtalai in Madhya Pradesh when an accident occurred around 6 pm. Their route home took them through Ranigaon, Susarda, Shivajiri, and Nardu.
According to reports, Driver allegedly lost control and skidded vehicle into ghat section. The impact was severe due to the depth of the gorge and the number of passengers crammed into the vehicle. Five Kanjoli villagers died instantly in a crash. Local residents, hearing the collision, initiated rescue efforts before emergency services arrived, transporting the injured to Dharani Upazila Hospital. Authorities fear the death toll may rise due to the critical condition of some patients.
Initial reports suggest the poor condition of the Ranigaon–Susarda–Shivajiri road contributed to the accident, with residents citing potholes as a factor in the driver's loss of control. The frequent accidents on this route have renewed calls for urgent repairs and improved safety measures. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Efforts are underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and to formally identify the deceased. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the entire Melghat region.