Bus Crash in Nepal’s Dhading Claims 18 Lives

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Dhading: At least 18 people were killed and dozens more injured early Monday after a passenger bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu veered off the Prithvi Highway and plunged into the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Dhading district, authorities said. The crash occurred around 1:15–1:30 am local time near Gajuri and Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality.

Officials said the bus, reported to be carrying around 44-45 passengers, lost control and fell approximately 300 metres down the slope to the riverbank, a perilous stretch of road that has seen multiple accidents in past years. Emergency responders including the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police mobilised quickly despite the challenging terrain and darkness that hampered night-time rescue efforts.

So far, seventeen bodies have been retrieved from the site, with one additional fatality confirmed as recovery continues. At least 28 passengers were injured, and most of those hurt have been transported to hospitals in Kathmandu and local medical facilities for treatment. Among the injured are foreign nationals, including a Japanese and a Dutch woman, while one of the deceased was reported to be a male passenger from New Zealand.

Local officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the crash, but preliminary assessments suggest that overspeeding may have contributed to the bus losing control along the winding highway. Authorities noted that the bus was travelling within its lane when it suddenly plunged into the river, prompting questions about road conditions and vehicle safety standards.

In the aftermath, family members and local leaders gathered near the scene, where the recovered bodies were taken to Gajuri Community Hospital for follow-up procedures. District officials emphasised that investigations are ongoing, and more details are expected as authorities piece together what led to the devastating incident.

Photo Credit: X/@mishika_singh