At least nine persons were killed and 12 others injured on Sunday when a utility vehicle fell into a ditch at the Ripnal Band of Chakrata area in the district, an official said.

The accident occurred when the van skidded off the road on a sharp turn amid heavy rain, Chakrata SDM, Dharamsattu said.

While five people were killed on the spot, four others succumbed to injuries in Uttarkashi district hospital, he added. Chief Minister B C Khanduri has expressed grief over the accident and asked officials to provide medical care to the injured.