Kathmandu: In a tragic accident today in Tanahun district, 27 people lost their lives, and 16 others were injured when an Indian bus plunged into the Marsyangdi River in Abu Khaireni.
The bus, with the Indian registration number UP 53 FT 7623, lost control near Aina Pahara and veered off the road. It fell 150 meters down a steep cliff before coming to rest on the riverbank. The impact left the bus severely damaged and its top destroyed.
The vehicle was traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu and carried 43 passengers, all Indian nationals, including the driver and his assistant. The bus entered Nepal from the Belahiya checkpoint in Rupandehi district on August 20 with an eight-day route permit.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal confirmed the incident on social media, stating, “An Indian tourist bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu with around 43 Indians fell 150 meters into the Marsyangdi River today.” The embassy is coordinating with local authorities for rescue efforts and has provided an emergency relief number, +977-98511 07021.
Rescue operations were challenging due to the steep terrain. Authorities deployed personnel from the Armed Police Force, including 10 divers, Nepal Police, and the Nepali Army. Initially, 16 survivors and 14 deceased were recovered. By 4:25 PM, the toll had risen to 19 dead and 22 injured. The death toll increased further as six more injured individuals at Abu Khaireni Hospital and two others at Bharatpur Hospital succumbed to their injuries.
In total, 27 people have been confirmed dead, and 16 others remain injured. Twelve of the injured were airlifted to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for advanced treatment, with four others flown from Abu Khaireni Hospital later in the evening.
This accident follows a similar tragedy on July 12, where two passenger buses carrying 51 people were swept away by a landslide into the Trishuli River in Chitwan district.