Kathmandu: At least 18 people lost their lives when a passenger bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu veered off a mountainous stretch of highway and crashed into the Trishuli River in Nepal, officials confirmed on Sunday. Rescue teams worked through the night to pull survivors from the wreckage in a difficult and risky operation.
The accident occurred at around 1 a.m. near Bhaisepati in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5 of Dhading district along the busy Prithvi Highway. Authorities said the bus lost control and fell roughly 300 metres down a steep embankment before landing near the riverbank, leaving the vehicle severely damaged.
Among the deceased were six women and eleven men, along with two tourists from New Zealand — one male and one female — who were travelling on the bus. Officials said the identities of several victims are still being verified as families are being informed.
Despite the scale of the crash, 27 passengers survived and were rescued with injuries. The injured include eight women, eighteen men and a minor girl. They were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment after being retrieved from the river area.
Rescue efforts were led jointly by the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. The operation faced major obstacles due to darkness, steep terrain and limited emergency resources at the site. Survivors were first moved by boat along the river before being carried uphill to the main road, where ambulances were waiting.
Chief District Officer Suvedi said teams relied on torchlight during the initial hours of the search and acknowledged shortages in relief equipment at the scene. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, including whether road conditions or mechanical issues played a role.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of navigating Nepal’s winding hill highways, especially during night travel.
