Pokhara–Kathmandu route in Nepal turns tragic as bus carrying over 35 passengers falls into river
Nepal: A passenger bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu fell into the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Dhading district early Monday morning, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than two dozen others. The accident happened around 1:15 a.m. near Charaundi in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality along the busy Prithvi Highway, a major road that connects Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Midnight Highway Crash
The bus, with registration number Ga 2 Kha 1421, was carrying between 35 and 44 passengers when the accident took place. According to officials, the bus suddenly went off the road and plunged into the river below. Authorities are still investigating how exactly the crash happened.
Death Toll Rises
Rescue teams first recovered 17 bodies from the river and the crash site. Later, one badly injured passenger died in the hospital, increasing the death toll to 18. The victims included women and men of different ages. Among those who died were two foreign nationals — one man and one woman.
Officials sent the bodies to Gajuri Community Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of all the victims and inform their families.
Many Injured Passengers
At least 25 to 26 passengers were injured in the accident. Rescue workers quickly took the injured to nearby hospitals. Most of them were later shifted to hospitals in Kathmandu for better medical care.
One injured foreign passenger from New Zealand is receiving treatment at Malekhu Teaching Hospital near the accident site. Reports also say that a Japanese woman and a Dutch woman were among those injured. Doctors are closely monitoring several passengers who suffered serious injuries.
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Night Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations started immediately after authorities received news of the crash. However, the rescue teams faced many difficulties because the accident happened in the middle of the night.
The area is mountainous, with steep slopes near the river. Darkness and limited access made the rescue work slow and challenging. Teams had to work carefully along the riverbanks.
Personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Police, and local residents joined the rescue mission. APF disaster management divers entered the river to search for missing passengers and recover bodies. Officials said the operation was intense but well coordinated despite the tough conditions.
Cause Still Unknown
Authorities have not yet confirmed the actual cause of the crash. Early indications indicate that the bus may have lost control before falling into the river. Some locals feel overspeeding or driving error may have played a part, especially given the Prithvi Highway’s many abrupt twists and small sections.
Police are examining whether the collision was caused by mechanical issues, poor road conditions, driver weariness, or other circumstances. Officials stated they will disclose additional information as the investigation progresses.
Dangerous Road Stretch
The Prithvi Highway is one of the primary routes between Pokhara and Kathmandu. However, it passes through hilly and mountainous areas, with sharp turns and severe slopes. Accidents are common along this route, particularly at night.
Nepal often sees road accidents where buses fall into rivers or off cliffs due to difficult terrain, road conditions, weather, or human error. This latest tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety and the need for better monitoring of public transport vehicles.
Grief and Concerns
Local officials have expressed their heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full support for medical treatment and the inquiry. Because foreign nationals were involved, the accident has received attention both in Nepal and around the world.
The tragedy has also raised new concerns about transportation safety, tighter traffic enforcement, and improved control over nighttime travel on dangerous roadways.
As rescue teams finish their work and investigations continue, families mourn the unexpected death of their loved ones in one of the bloodiest traffic incidents in recent months.
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