A major road tragedy struck Nepal in the early hours of Monday when a passenger bus skidded off the Prithvi Highway and plunged into the Trishuli River in Dhading district. The accident occurred around 1.30 am near Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality, leaving at least 18 people dead, officials confirmed to news agency ANI.
Rescue Operations Continue Amid Tough Conditions
Emergency teams rushed to the site soon after the crash. According to Nepal Police and rescue officials, over 24 passengers were pulled out alive and shifted to nearby hospitals with injuries of varying severity. Search operations are still ongoing to ensure no one remains missing in the river.
The rescue effort is being jointly conducted by Nepal’s three security agencies. Specially trained divers from the Armed Police Force Nepal Disaster Management Unit were deployed due to the challenging river flow and terrain.
Bodies Recovered, Identification Pending
By Monday morning, rescue teams had recovered 17 bodies from the river. Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson of the Armed Police Force, said search operations were continuing as a precaution. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or injured, as verification is still underway.
Investigation Launched Into Cause
Officials said the exact reason behind the bus losing control remains unclear. Preliminary assessments are underway to determine whether factors such as road conditions, speed, or driver fatigue played a role in the incident. The mangled condition of the bus, seen in visuals from the spot, highlights the severity of the impact.
Search Mission Led by Senior Officers
The rescue mission is being supervised by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Giri from the APF Disaster Management Training School. Officials noted that strong river currents and low visibility during night hours significantly slowed rescue efforts.
