18 Killed, 24 Injured in Benighat Bus accident

Passengers injured in a bus accident at Charaundi in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality have been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment.

The bus (registration number Ga 2 Kha 1421) was traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu when it fell into the Trishuli River at around 1:15 am today.

Police have confirmed that the death toll from the accident has reached 18. A total of 25 people were injured, of whom 24 have been sent to Kathmandu for advanced medical care.

One injured passenger is receiving treatment at Malekhu Teaching Hospital. She is a New Zealand national. As her condition is reported to be stable, she chose to continue treatment there instead of being transferred to Kathmandu.

The bodies of the deceased have been sent to Gajuri Community Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The bus had departed from the Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara at 7 pm on Sunday bound for Kathmandu. Operated by Prithviraj Highway Bus Operators Company Pvt. Ltd., the vehicle was carrying several foreign nationals.

According to Bus Operators Committee Chairman Ain Kumar Shahi, the bus owner Om Kumar Shrestha was also on board and died at the scene. The driver remains missing.