Tragic Bus Crash in Nepal Claims 19 Lives and Injures 25 on Mountain Highway
A devastating bus accident in Nepal has resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, including a 24-year-old British national, and left at least 25 others injured. The crowded passenger bus was traveling from the lakeside city of Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu, when it veered off the Prithvi Highway shortly after midnight.
The vehicle tumbled down a steep hillside before coming to rest on the banks of the Trishuli River near Benighat, approximately 80 kilometres west of Kathmandu. Authorities in Dhading district confirmed the fatality of the British national, with only nine victims formally identified so far, according to the Press Association.
Rescue Efforts and International Victims
Rescuers reached the accident site promptly, pulling the injured from the wreckage and transporting them to hospitals for treatment, as reported by government administrator Mohan Prasad Neupane. Among the injured is a Chinese national, who is receiving care at the National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu.
China's official Xinhua News Agency, citing the Chinese embassy in Nepal, indicated that another Chinese national was missing following the crash. Police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, which occurred on a narrow mountain road.
Historical Context and Road Safety Concerns
This tragic incident echoes a previous disaster in 2024, when two buses with 65 people on board fell into the same river, resulting in most passengers being killed or missing. Wreckage from one of those buses was only discovered this year, buried deep in sand.
Bus accidents are alarmingly common in Nepal, largely attributed to poorly maintained roads and vehicles. The Himalayan nation's mountainous terrain is predominantly connected by narrow, hazardous roads, posing significant risks to travelers.
The bus landed on the banks of the fast-flowing Trishuli River, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by commuters in this region. This latest crash highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures and infrastructure upgrades to prevent future tragedies.
