A tragic Nepal bus accident claimed the lives of at least 19 people, including a British tourist, after a passenger bus veered off a mountain road and fell into the icy Trishuli River on Monday morning. The devastating crash occurred in Dhading district while the bus was traveling from the popular tourist city of Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu.
According to senior police officer Prakash Dahal, there were 44 passengers on board at the time of the accident. “Out of 44, 19 people died, and 25 are undergoing treatment,” he confirmed. Authorities also reported that one Chinese national and a New Zealander were injured in the incident. Both are currently receiving medical care, though further details about their conditions have not been released.
The bus reportedly plunged more than 200 meters down a steep hillside before crashing into the freezing river below. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, and the operation was completed by dawn, said Mohan Prasad Neupane, information officer at the district administration office. The injured were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment.
Road accidents remain a serious issue in Nepal, particularly in mountainous regions where narrow highways, poor road conditions, and vehicle maintenance issues increase risks. In July 2024, two buses carrying more than 50 passengers were swept into the same river following a landslide, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
This heartbreaking incident has once again raised questions about road safety, transport regulations, and infrastructure challenges in the Himalayan nation. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash to determine whether mechanical failure, road conditions, or driver error played a role.
