At least seven Indian pilgrims were killed and nine others injured after a passenger bus veered off a mountain road and plunged down a steep hillside in central Nepal, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
According to police officials, the accident occurred late Saturday night when the bus lost control while descending a winding road near Shahid Lakhan village, about 120 kilometers west of the capital, Kathmandu.
Pilgrims Returning From Temple Visit
The bus was carrying Indian devotees returning from the sacred Manakamana Temple, a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site. The temple attracts thousands of visitors who believe that prayers offered to the goddess there can fulfill their wishes.
Authorities said the vehicle was traveling downhill when it slipped while navigating a sharp curve. The bus then rolled approximately 150 meters (around 500 feet) down the mountainside before coming to rest in a ravine.
Casualties and Injuries
Police confirmed that all seven people who died in the crash were Indian pilgrims. Among the injured were seven other Indian passengers who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The two remaining injured victims were the Nepali bus driver and his assistant, who were also taken for medical care.
Rescue Efforts by Locals and Police
Emergency responders, along with local villagers, quickly reached the crash site to assist survivors. Rescue teams pulled injured passengers from the wreckage and transported them by ambulance to hospitals in the surrounding region.
Authorities said postmortem examinations will be conducted before the bodies are handed over to the victims’ families.
Frequent Road Accidents in Nepal
Traffic accidents involving buses are relatively common in Nepal due to challenging terrain, narrow mountain roads, and aging vehicles. Much of the Himalayan nation is covered by rugged mountains, and many rural areas are connected only by steep, winding roads.
Officials have repeatedly called for improved road safety measures, better vehicle maintenance, and stricter enforcement of transportation regulations to reduce such incidents.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
