Indian Pilgrim Bus Plunges Off Nepal Highway; 14 Dead, Several Missing

Photo : PTI

At least 14 people lost their lives when an Indian-registered passenger bus plunged into the Marsyangdi River in Nepal's Tanahun district on Friday. The bus, which originated from Gorakhpur, was carrying over 40 passengers and was en route to Kathmandu from the popular tourist destination of Pokhara. 

Local authorities reported that the bus veered off the road and fell towards the river, stopping on the rocky riverbank just before entering the water. The top section of the bus was severely damaged, leading to the tragic loss of life. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, rescuing 29 individuals who were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The accident was confirmed by DSP Deepkumar Raya from the district police office in Tanahun. He noted that the bus, bearing the number plate UP FT 7623, had crashed and come to rest on the riverbank. Efforts were immediately undertaken to assess the situation and provide aid to the injured.

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Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, India, are working to determine if any of the passengers involved in the accident were from the state. The bus had been part of a larger network of transportation connecting various regions, and the tragic incident has brought attention to the safety conditions of such long-distance journeys.

This accident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in July, where two buses in Nepal were swept into the Trishuli River by a landslide during heavy rains. Those buses, including the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and the Ganpati Deluxe, which was traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur, were pushed off the highway by a landslide, leading to the death of 65 people. Only three individuals survived, and many of the bodies were never recovered.

Since the onset of the monsoon season in Nepal this year, the country has faced numerous weather-related disasters. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, operating under Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs, reported that at least 62 people have died, and 90 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents. The monsoon period is expected to bring more rainfall than usual, potentially affecting 1.8 million people across 412,000 households. Authorities have urged caution as the country continues to deal with the severe impacts of the monsoon season.