NEW DELHI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and five others injured, after a vehicle carrying them fell into a deep gorge in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, police said.

The accident took place at village Padhar in Mandi district, about 170 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.

"This morning, a vehicle carrying 10 people skidded off mountainous road and fell into a 250-feet gorge here, killing five people on spot and injuring five others," a police official posted in Mandi told Xinhua. "The deceased two men and three women were local residents," the police said.

According to police, the injured were shifted to a hospital at Padhar, some of whom were stated to be in critical condition.

Police said the driver lost control over the vehicle on road and fell into gorge.

Locals rushed to the spot and alerted police, besides carrying out rescue operation.