Kathmandu. A terrible accident occurred in the early hours of Monday in Dhading district of Nepal. A passenger bus going from Pokhara to Kathmandu fell into Trishuli River. At least 18 people died in this accident. According to local media reports, the incident occurred near Chinadhara area at around 1 am Indian time. There were about 40 to 45 passengers in the bus. Some foreign tourists were also on board.
It is being told that the number of dead is 18. These include six women and 11 men. 25 to 27 people have been injured in the accident, who have been admitted to different hospitals. The injured include eight women, 18 men and a minor girl.
How did the accident happen?
The bus was moving on the Prithvi Highway. It is being told that the bus suddenly went out of control near Bhaisepati area of Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5. The vehicle slipped from the road and fell about 300 meters down the slope and onto the river bank. The bus was found in a badly damaged condition.
Police said the cause of the accident is being investigated. Initial suspicions were that the driver lost control or the road conditions were poor. The presence of more passengers in the bus than its carrying capacity is also being investigated. The administration has informed the families of the deceased.
Challenge of relief work at night
The accident happened at night, causing difficulty in the rescue operation. Nepali Army, Armed Police Forces, Nepal Police and local people joined together in relief work. Highway Rescue Management Committee Chairman Rajkumar Thakuri said that the injured were immediately taken to the hospital. Darkness and river flow remained a big challenge for the rescue work.
