Nepal: 18 people killed, several injured after passenger bus falls into river; foreign tourists were also on board

Kathmandu. A terrible accident occurred in Nepal’s Dhading district early Monday morning. A passenger bus traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu plunged into the Trishuli River, killing at least 18 people. According to local media reports, the accident occurred around 1 a.m. Indian Standard Time (IST) near the Chinnadhara area. The bus was carrying approximately 40 to 45 passengers, including some foreign tourists.

The death toll is reported to be 18, including six women and 11 men. 25 to 27 people were injured in the accident and have been admitted to various hospitals. The injured include eight women, 18 men, and a minor girl.

How did the accident happen?
The bus was traveling on the Prithvi Highway. It is reported that it suddenly lost control near the Bhaisepati area of ​​Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5. The vehicle skidded off the road and fell approximately 300 meters downhill into the river bank. The bus was found badly damaged.

Police said the cause of the accident is being investigated. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver lost control or the road conditions were poor. The possibility of overloading the bus is also being investigated. The administration has informed the families of the deceased.

The Challenge of Nighttime Rescue
The accident occurred at night, which hampered the rescue operation. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and local people worked together to carry out the rescue work. Rajkumar Thakur, chairman of the Highway Rescue Management Committee, stated that the injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. Darkness and the river’s current posed a major challenge to the rescue operation.