Death toll climbs to seven in Ghatbesi bus accident

DHADING: Tragedy struck as the death toll rose to seven in a harrowing bus accident that occurred at Gajuri rural municipality-5 in Dhading district.

The ill-fated passenger bus, en route to Kathmandu from Kapilvastu, careened off the Prithvi Highway and plunged into the Trishuli River at Ghatbesi earlier this morning.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Gautam KC of Dhading District Police Office, among the casualties are seven individuals, including one woman. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

Moreover, around 30 passengers sustained injuries in the accident. SP Gautam stated that after receiving initial treatment at a local health facility, the injured were transported to Kathmandu for further medical attention.

The rescue efforts were bolstered by the collaboration of local residents alongside personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Army.

Concerns linger as it is feared that the death toll may rise further due to the bus's submersion in the river. A specialized team from the Armed Police Force and Disaster Management Training School in Kurintar, Chitwan, has been deployed to aid in the ongoing rescue operation.

In connection with the accident, authorities have apprehended the bus driver, identified as Hariram Harijan, aged 38, from Lumbini Sanskriti Municipality-9 in Rupandehi. Further investigations into the incident are underway.