A passenger bus carrying Indian pilgrims veered off a mountain road in central Nepal on Saturday night, killing seven people and injuring nine others, police reported Sunday.
The bus was returning from the Manakamana Temple, a prominent Hindu shrine believed by devotees to grant wishes when visited. The accident occurred near Shahid Lakhan village, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kathmandu, as the bus descended a steep, winding road.
Authorities said the bus slipped on a curve, rolled about 150 meters (500 feet) down a mountainside, and landed in a ravine. All seven fatalities were Indian pilgrims. Seven additional Indian passengers sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, along with the Nepali bus driver and his assistant, who were also injured.
Police and local villagers were first responders, helping to evacuate the injured and transport them to medical facilities. Autopsies will be conducted on the deceased before their bodies are released to families.
Bus accidents are a frequent hazard in Nepal, where mountainous terrain and narrow roads, coupled with poorly maintained vehicles, contribute to high rates of traffic incidents.
