KATHMANDU — At least 18 people were killed after a passenger bus fell into a river in Nepal’s Dhading district early Monday, triggering a massive rescue operation.
The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Gajri, about 90 kilometers west of Kathmandu, when the bus headed from Pokhara to Kathmandu veered off the road and fell into the Trishuli River.
There were 44 people on board, including the driver, and 25 of them were injured. The bus was ferrying tourists from the popular tourist destination Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the incident.
Nepal Police said they have so far identified nine of the dead. A 24-year-old British national was among the dead, while a Chinese national and a New Zealander were among the injured.
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All the injured were taken to hospitals in the capital.
Police spokesperson Abhinarayan Kafle said 17 people died at the scene and two more died during treatment.
Traffic accidents occur relatively frequently in Nepal. This is due to various factors, including poorly maintained roads and narrow roads in mountainous areas.
Nepal is a popular destination for many foreign travelers, especially mountaineers, who come to access major sections of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. — Agency
