Kathmandu: At least 17 people died after a bus travelling from Pokhara to the capital Kathmandu plunged into the Trishuli River in Dhading district early Monday, a senior official confirmed.

Chief District Officer Bijaya Raj Subedi said the bodies of 17 victims were sent for medical confirmation, while 27 others injured in the crash were taken to hospitals in Dhading and Kathmandu for treatment.

The bus fell approximately 300 metres from the road to the riverbank at around 1:30 am in Bhaisigauda, Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality. Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the accident, noting that the vehicle was reportedly travelling in its lane at the time. A total of 44 passengers were on board the ill-fated bus.

Rescue operations involved personnel from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and local residents. Difficult terrain, nighttime conditions, and limited rescue equipment slowed the recovery efforts, which concluded the first phase around 6:30 am.

Nepal has seen a significant rise in road accidents in recent years, paralleling an increase in vehicles on its roads. The Traffic Police Office reported 4,999 accidents a decade ago, compared with 7,669 road accidents and 190 deaths in the fiscal year 2024–25. Of these, 278 accidents were classified as serious, highlighting the human and economic toll of traffic incidents.

A World Bank study indicated that the economic cost of road traffic injuries in Nepal has tripled since 2007, now amounting to 1.5 per cent of the country’s gross national product. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, account for more than 70 per cent of road fatalities, underscoring the disproportionate impact of traffic crashes on the poor.

The Dhading bus tragedy highlights ongoing road safety challenges in Nepal, as authorities continue efforts to improve accident prevention and emergency response measures.

IANS