A bus carrying dozens of Indian pilgrims has driven off a highway in Nepal, leaving 14 killed, 16 injured and several more missing
KATHMANDU, Nepal — At least 14 people were killed, 16 other injured and several more believed to be missing after a bus carrying dozens of Indian pilgrims drove off a key highway Friday in Nepal, officials said.
The bus veered off Prithvi Highway and rolled toward a fast-flowing river, stopping on the rocky bank just shy of the rushing, murky water. The top part of the bus was ripped, but the wreckage did not plunge into the Marsyangdi river.
Armed Police Force spokesperson Shailendra Thapa said that, among those pulled out of from the bus, 14 were declared dead and 16 were injured in the accident.
Officials could not yet say how many more were missing or the exact number of people on the bus when it crashed, but they estimated there were some four dozen on board at the time of the accident.
Police and army rescuers were helping to pull people from the wreckage near Abukhaireni, a town about 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.
The bus from neighboring Indian town of Gorakhpur was heading toward Kathmandu from the resort town of Pokhara on Friday when it drove off the highway midway in the journey.
In July, two buses were swept by landslides not too far from Friday’s accident site. Of the 65 people on board those two buses, only three survived and only about half the bodies were recovered. The wreckage of those buses have not been found yet but authorities have continued to search.
Bus accidents in Nepal are mostly due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles and much of the country is covered by mountains with narrow roads.
A group of Indian pilgrims were involved in a tragic bus accident on a highway in Nepal, leaving several injured and others dead. The incident occurred as the bus was traveling towards a popular pilgrimage site in Nepal.
According to reports, the bus carrying the Indian pilgrims was traveling on a highway in Nepal when it lost control and veered off the road, crashing into a nearby ditch. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is believed that the driver may have lost control due to poor road conditions or driver error.
The accident resulted in several injuries among the passengers, with some being rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Unfortunately, there were also reports of fatalities among the pilgrims, adding to the tragedy of the incident.
The Indian embassy in Nepal has been working closely with local authorities to provide assistance to the injured and to help repatriate the bodies of those who lost their lives in the accident. The embassy has also been in touch with the families of the victims to provide them with updates on the situation.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can be associated with long-distance travel, especially in countries with challenging road conditions. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that proper safety measures are in place when organizing group pilgrimages or tours.
Authorities in both India and Nepal have urged travelers to exercise caution when embarking on journeys, especially in unfamiliar territories. They have also stressed the importance of following traffic rules and regulations to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all passengers.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic incident. May they find strength and solace during this difficult time.
