A major road accident occurred in Nepal's Dhading district early Monday morning when a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into the Trishuli River. According to official reports, at least 18 people have lost their lives, while 26 others sustained injuries. The incident took place near Gajuri, approximately 90 kilometers west of the capital, Kathmandu, on the Prithvi Highway. The bus was en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu when the driver lost control at around 1:30 AM, leading to the vehicle falling into the river.
Incident Details and Timeline
According to authorities, the accident occurred at approximately 1:30 AM while most passengers were asleep. The bus was traversing the Prithvi Highway, a critical arterial road connecting major Nepalese cities. Near the Gajuri area, the vehicle skidded off the road and submerged into the deep waters of the Trishuli River. The darkness of the early hours posed significant challenges to the initial rescue efforts. Local residents were the first to alert the police, following which emergency teams were dispatched to the site.
Rescue Operations and Casualty Count
Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson for the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF), informed the media that 17 bodies were recovered directly from the crash site, while one more victim succumbed to injuries during transit to the hospital. Personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police were immediately deployed for search and rescue operations. Divers were utilized to extract passengers trapped inside the submerged bus, while the spokesperson confirmed that 28 passengers have been rescued from the wreckage so far, including those with injuries.
Involvement of Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals were among those affected by the tragic accident, while according to official data, one male passenger from New Zealand is among the deceased. Also, the injured include a Japanese female and a Dutch female national. Relevant embassies have been notified regarding their citizens. The process of identifying the other deceased victims is currently underway, with the majority reported to be local Nepalese citizens.
Preliminary Investigation into the Cause
Based on preliminary investigations, the police have indicated that excessive speed (over-speeding) might be the primary cause of the accident. This specific section of the Prithvi Highway is known for its sharp curves, where maintaining control at high speeds is difficult. However, authorities are also examining other factors such as potential technical failure or driver fatigue. Police officials stated that the exact cause will only be confirmed after a comprehensive technical investigation.
Condition of the Injured and Medical Care
The 26 injured passengers were immediately transported to various hospitals in Gajuri and Kathmandu after receiving initial first aid. Medical officials have noted that the condition of several passengers remains critical, leading to concerns that the death toll may rise. Rescue teams continue to conduct search operations along the riverbanks and within the wreckage to ensure no other passengers are missing.