Four people were killed when a Toyota Etios veered off 150 metres below the road in Paibang, about 36 kilometers away from Tingtibi, Zhemgang, towards Panbang on the night of May 4.

The accident occurred around midnight. All passengers in the vehicle died on impact.

The victims were a 45-year-old man from Ura in Bumthang, who worked at the Revenue and Customs office in Nganglam, his 61-year-old mother-in-law, 69-year-old father-in-law and a 35-year-old lay monk from Saling, Mongar. The 61-year-old woman and 69-year-old man were from Nganglam.

The four had started their journey from Tingtibi towards Nganglam at 11pm on May 4.

It was learnt that the 45-year-old man, who was driving the car, had informed his wife in Nganglam to prepare dinner and that they were on their way from Tingtibi. She informed police when her parents and husband did not reach home that night.

After discovering the accident site the next morning, volunteers, police, deeSups, school staff and officials from dzongkhag administration helped retrieve the bodies.

Police officials in Zhemgang said the foggy weather, late night travel and speed might have caused the accident.

Staff reporter