Police identify 13 victims of Baitadi wedding bus accident

The death toll from a wedding party bus accident in Baitadi district has risen to 13, police said, adding that all the victims have now been identified.

The accident occurred late Wednesday night when a bus carrying wedding guests was returning from Bhauni in Purchaudi Municipality–7. The bus, bearing registration number Sudurpashchim Province 02-001 Kha 1119, crashed at the Badgaon turn in the same ward.

Police had initially confirmed eight deaths by Thursday night. However, the toll increased after five more injured passengers died during treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital, taking the total number of fatalities to 13.

According to Inspector Baldev Badu, information officer at the District Police Office, Baitadi, those who died during treatment in Dadeldhura Hospital include 17-year-old Bisan Datt Joshi of Bitthadchir Rural Municipality–7 in Bajhang, Deepak Joshi, aged around 27, from the same area, and Kisan Datt Joshi, aged around 45, also from Bitthadchir–7.

Inspector Badu said the other two who died during treatment were Keshav Raj Bhatt, around 26, from Kedarsyu Rural Municipality–7 in Bajhang, and Sushil Joshi, around 14, from Purchaudi Municipality–7 in Baitadi.

Police said the remaining victims were identified as 40-year-old Keshav Raj Joshi of Bitthadchir Rural Municipality–7, 13-year-old Ashok Raj Joshi, 35-year-old Basanta Joshi, 41-year-old Bishnu Datt Joshi, and 42-year-old Naresh Raj Joshi, all from the same area in Bajhang.

Other victims include 60-year-old Mohan Dev Bhatt of Kedarsyu Rural Municipality in Bajhang and 40-year-old Basanta Raj Ratala of Jayaprithvi Municipality–7, Bajhang.

Authorities said the bus was heading toward Sunkuda in Bajhang when it veered off the road and plunged nearly 200 meters down a hillside, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.

Police said 25 injured passengers are currently receiving treatment in Dadeldhura, while four others are being treated at the Deulek Health Post in Bajhang. Five critically injured victims have been referred to Dhangadhi for further medical treatment.

The bus driver, Birendra Budha, has been taken into custody and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, police said.

The bride and groom were traveling in a separate vehicle and are reported to be safe.