Kathmandu: Eight people were killed and ten others injured when a jeep carrying 18 passengers fell nearly 700 feet down a hillside in Nepal’s Karnali province, police said on Saturday.
The tragic accident occurred on Friday night in the Jharmare area of Bafikot, located in Rukum West district—about 500 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The vehicle was traveling from Khalanga in Musikot to Syalikhadi in Athbiskot Municipality when it veered off the road and plunged down the steep slope.
According to police, seven passengers died instantly, while one more succumbed to injuries during treatment at a local hospital. The victims were reported to be between 15 and 30 years old.
A preliminary investigation indicates that overspeeding was the likely cause of the crash. Authorities have launched a detailed probe into the incident.
Ten others injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at Rukum’s District Hospital in Salle, police officials confirmed.
